Report: Maple Leafs, Hurricanes among teams interested in Hamilton

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams with interest in New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, reports The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

However, it's believed that the Maple Leafs would only consider a trade if the Devils retained a significant portion of Hamilton's contract, LeBrun adds. Hamilton is signed for two more seasons after 2025-26 with a $9-million cap hit.

He also has a 10-team trade list, but Hamilton's agent, J.P. Barry, said his client is willing to consider teams outside that list to help accommodate a move.

Hamilton was a healthy scratch Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets, but he's played in each of New Jersey's two games since.

The Maple Leafs have a need for a right-shot, top-four defenseman with uncertainty surrounding the health of Chris Tanev. The veteran blue-liner hasn't played since Dec. 28 due to a groin injury. The exact duration of his absence is unclear, but the team said he'll miss significant time.

Hamilton, who's 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, has endured a down year offensively with 13 points in 42 games. He racked up nine goals and 31 assists in 64 appearances in 2024-25.

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving employed Hamilton during his time with the Calgary Flames, although he traded him to Carolina in 2018.

Hamilton spent three years with the Hurricanes before joining the Devils as a free agent in 2021. He played arguably his best hockey in Raleigh, finishing 14th, seventh, and fourth in Norris Trophy voting while forming a stellar top defense pair with Jaccob Slavin for head coach Rod Brind'Amour.

The Hurricanes could theoretically take on the entirety of Hamilton's contract since they have $17 million in cap space.