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Dougie Hamilton may have predicted a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs years ago


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Alexander Cole
January 11, 2026  (4:41 PM)
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Dec 21, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (7) takes a shot against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Prudential Center.
Photo credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton is on his way out of town, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have been theorized as a team that could take him.

Dougie Hamilton is a defenseman who can give you a lot of offense, and he can also give you a lot of minutes night in and night out.
Unfortunately, he is going through a rough situation with the New Jersey Devils. They don't really want him anymore, and the feeling is mutual.
Hamilton was a healthy scratch on Saturday night, and his agent has made it clear that the hope is for him to be traded going forward.
Of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the market for a right-handed defenseman who can generate offense, and Hamilton is the perfect guy for that.

Dougie Hamilton is a hometown kid

In case you didn't know, Hamilton is a Toronto native, and about seven years ago, he posted a photo of himself in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey.
Now, the defenseman is on the trade market with the Leafs as a frontrunner. One could even say that the defenseman predicted all of this.
Unfortunately, acquiring Hamilton won't be easy. While his value is very low, he is making $9 million per season, which makes him tough to trade.
General Manager Brad Treliving would have to negotiate a deal with some salary retention. Meanwhile, the Leafs would have to find assets they are willing to part with.
With the trade deadline less than two months away, it remains clear that the Leafs have some very difficult decisions to make right now.
That said, the Devils will have the final say in who gets to take Hamilton, and for how much.
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Dougie Hamilton may have predicted a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs years ago

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