There is speculation around the NHL that, if the right package were offered to the Carolina Hurricanes, they would consider moving highly-skilled defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
On Saturday’s Headlines segment on Sportsnet, Elliotte Friedman reported after suggesting the Canes might move Michael Ferland, that a potentially more interesting name might be someone to watch. He explained that the Carolina Hurricanes might consider moving Hamilton in the right deal — a report that came as a surprise to the hockey world considering the assets the Hurricanes moved to acquire Hamilton from the Calgary Flames and he's considered one of the Canes better defenders. But, with 14 points in 41 games, Hamilton has potentially become expendable on a team that is loaded on the right side for defenders.
Friedman said, “Another name I’m curious about is Dougie Hamilton. If you’re willing to come back to them with a score I think that they would consider doing it.” And, there would certainly be teams interested in offering up a package for Hamilton should he actually be available.
Hamilton has no less than 40 points in his last four seasons and is on pace for his fifth consecutive season of 10-plus goals. He's got talent and there are a number of teams in the NHL not afraid of the fact he's having somewhat of a down 2018-19 campaign.
What This Means
Hamilton becomes just another name in a long line of top-end players who may be available on the trade market before the NHL Trade Deadline on February 25, 2019. Along with names like Alex Pietrangelo, Erik Karlsson, and Jake Gardiner, Hamilton will be an interesting name to watch.
One team that might be interested are the Edmonton Oilers, who if they put the right package together, would have to be interested. GM Peter Chiarelli certainly has a history for with Hamilton and in the last two weeks has added a number of defenders via trade. With now 11 potential NHL defenders on the roster, the Oilers could certainly give back a defenseman and a prospect in a trade.