Framework For a Blockbuster: How the Leafs Can Navigate the Cap Maze to Land Hamilton
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro Imagn Images
As the Leafs continue to look for a puck-moving defenseman, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos outlined a path for them to acquire Dougie Hamilton from the New Jersey Devils, but it may cost them another top defenseman for the season.
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has made it clear in multiple public statements that he continues to look to upgrade his roster and help them continue to climb back into the playoffs.
Initially, he had intended to find another top-six forward to help offset the loss of Mitch Marner and his production, but the injuries on the blueline have forced the Leafs' GM to slightly shift his focus to adding a defenseman.
Leafs Still Searching For Puck-Moving Defenseman
The Leafs haven't ruled out Chris Tanev returning at some point this year, but Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos suggested his injury could help facilitate a blockbuster deal to land them the puck-moving defenseman they have long searched for.
Although they have been chasing Rasmus Andersson for the better part of a year, the asking price remains high for the Calgary Flames defenseman. Instead, Nick Kypreos appears to agree with the suggestions circulating that the Leafs should take a swing at New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
Hamilton carries a $9M cap hit for this season and the next two, but Kypreos had an idea that may help the Leafs with their cap gymnastics for this season. Unfortunately, it comes at the expense of Chris Tanev.
"This is just getting Hamilton. This isn't giving up Morgan Rielly to get him. You write Tanev off. You bring in Hamilton... You're finding a way to say, 'Jersey, you don't want him, we'll take him. You may have to eat a little bit [of salary].'
Kypreos went on to compare the Devils retaining $2.5M to $3M of Hamilton's salary to the Chicago Blackhawks retaining $2M per season on Seth Jones' contract for the next five seasons before noting that it would be highly unlikely that Brad Treliving would look to acquire Hamilton after trading him while he was in Calgary.
Having the Devils retain that amount of money is a long-shot, as is the Leafs pulling the trigger on a deal for the 32-year-old, but if push comes to shove, he may be the best option available to upgrade the Leafs' blueline at a lesser cost than Andersson.
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The move Toronto never made: How the Golden Knights 'fixed' Marner after disastrous Leafs exit
The move Toronto never made: How the Golden Knights 'fixed' Marner after disastrous Leafs exit
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