Toronto-born offensive defenseman may finally be open to a trade to the Maple Leafs

With the New Jersey Devils reeling and looking for answers, head coach Sheldon Keefe decided to scratch former elite offensive defenseman Dougie Hamilton ahead of their matchup against the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow afternoon.

Rumours had begun swirling around the security of Hamilton's roster spot in New Jersey earlier in the season, but his recent move to the press box might be the final nail in the coffin, as his agent made a very clear statement regarding his client's future.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reached out to prominent agent J.P. Barry, and he informed the insider that Hamilton's removal was from the lineup had more to do with business than actual gameplay.

He continued by saying that trade talks have persisted since the draft, and they will now consider teams outside of his 10-team trade list in order to help facilitate a move.

For a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is fantastic news, if they were originally not a part of his 10-team trade list. Hamilton's contract right now also holds a full NMC, which prevents him from being waived, as well as a cap hit of $9 million for the next 2.5 years.

It was always going to be difficult to acquire the offensive defenseman due to his contractual protections, but now that the Hamilton camp is upset with how things have transpired in New Jersey, it's the best case scenario for the Leafs and opens up a potential new avenue to acquiring a player that can help provide some offense from the backend.

The Leafs have been rumoured to be in the market for a puck-moving defenseman and the Toronto-born defenseman checks off plenty of boxes. It's been a down year for the 32-year-old, who has just 5 goals and 10 points in 40 games, but he's coming off a 2024-25 season, where he totaled 40 points in just 64 games.

Acquiring him will be tough due to his $9 million cap hit, but perhaps they could find a way to convince Morgan Rielly to waive his NMC and reunite with his former head coach in Sheldon Keefe. It would be the easiest swap for both teams in regards to term and cap hit, as well as both players likely benefitting from a change of scenery.

Nevertheless, with someone like Hamilton now officially on the block, the Leafs have to know that they are not going to be the only bidders. If they plan to submit an offer, it must be a competitive one.

Also read on Toronto Hockey Daily :
Maple Leafs confirm huge news involving Anthony Stolarz; Nylander, McCabe updates