It seems pretty apparent that Dougie Hamilton’s days with the New Jersey Devils are numbered. His healthy scratch on Sunday brought to the forefront the issue that has been simmering in New Jersey for many months. The team has tried to trade him on at least a couple of occasions, only to have Hamilton invoke his no-trade clause (he has a 10-team trade list).
One of the three teams that is said to be among the most serious in pursuing the 32-year-old puck mover is the Utah Mammoth.
An NHL source told James Murphy of rg.org that the Mammoth are definitely “in” on Hamilton, and even proposed a trade package that could get it done.
Utah Mammoth receive:
New Jersey Devils receive:
Nick SchmaltzNate SchmidtDraft pick
The Mammoth had already made an attempt to trade for Hamilton last summer, but they were not on his 10-team trade list, and he declined to accept.
Schmaltz, 29, is Utah’s top-line center, and a pending unrestricted free agent. He has boosted his stock significantly this season, on pace for career highs in goals, assists and points as well as ice time per game. He has 16 goals and 41 points in 46 games, playing 19:46 per night. He does hold a 10-team no-trade list.
Schmidt, 34, is a mobile, two-way third-pairing d-man who still sees a bit of top-four time with Utah this season.
The Mammoth have $12.1 million in available cap space currently, plenty of room for Hamilton’s $9 million cap hit. He has another two more years to run on that deal as well.
Utah is 22-20-4 going into Tuesday night’s action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and they’re right in the range of a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Toronto, incidentally, is another team that’s in the running to try to land Hamilton.Photo: © Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images