Dougie Hamilton Scratched as Devils, Agent Explore Trade Options

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Dougie Hamilton’s healthy scratch from the New Jersey Devils’ lineup on Saturday might be trade-related. The player is reportedly working with the team to figure out an option to move him, says Hamilton’s agent.

While Hamilton is one of the team’s better defensemen, the organization is paying him a ton of money to produce, and he has three points since Nov. 1.

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LeBrun writes:

“Reached out to Dougie Hamilton’s agent J.P. Barry. His response: “Dougie was informed today that he will be not be playing now that Kovacevic is back in the lineup. In our view, this decision is all about business rather than his game right now. “

The agent and the player are under the impression that the Devils might be making this move to keep Hamilton out of the lineup to avoid a potential injury.

Barry adds, “Singling him out seems very calculated at this stage. Dougie has a 10-team trade list, and there have been efforts to trade him going back to the draft last year. We have made it clear to the Devils that we will consider teams outside our list and other creative ways to get to a team that is mutually acceptable.”

LeBrun notes that with the Hamilton camp willing to be flexible beyond a 10-team list, it means finding a suitable team in a trade.

Next: Finding His Rhythm: The “Skinner Watch” Continues in Pittsburgh