Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
According to Leafs Nation writer and analyst Nick Richard, a source close to him believes Toronto is pushing hard for Dougie Hamilton; though this is purely speculation.
But they also need to get a handle on their defensive situation. They are all signed long-term, but getting older and adding some much needed offensive firepower to their back end was a goal Brad Treliving wanted to accomplish months ago.
Toronto aggressive in pursuit of Dougie Hamilton
Leafs Nation writer and analyst Nick Richard explained that a source close to the Maple Leafs that the team is pushing hard to bring in Hamilton; a former Treliving player, and potentially replace Morgan Rielly.I heard the Leafs looked into him. They’re looking into multiple options for their blue line, and a lot of them have offensive flair.
That’s their strength, so there’s a common thread with their trade targets right now, and Hamilton fits the bill.
Toronto initially may have had their hands on Hamilton years ago, but his draft selection was traded to the Bruins in the Phil Kessel blockbuster.
Leave it to Tre: Why Toronto might be in on Dougie Hamilton
But Brad Treliving is known for bringing in some former players, and Hamilton is certainly one of the best when it comes to a blast from the past.
Hamilton, 32, would be a marked improvement defensively over Morgan Rielly, and he can still offer the same amount of playmaking, with a much heavier and effective shot.
Toronto seems allergic to letting shots fly, and for Hamilton; a player who’s averaged nearly 3 shots per game, that’s a refreshing change for the Maple Leafs.
He has 501 points in 835 career games (151 goals, 350 assists), is able to bring some physicality, he blocks shots, he’s elite in his own end, and did we forget to mention he’s 6-foot-6? A gigantic human with that level of skill is a guaranteed impact player.
Plus, he knows the style of play that Treliving wants from him, and it’s hard to see him not fitting in with a Craig Berube-led system.
The one issue may be getting rid of Morgan Rielly, as there isn’t room for both men and Rielly would need to give his permission to move anywhere.
Hamilton would bring a huge DNA change and an equal amount of offense, with better defense but at $9-million a season, so unless both sides decide to hold onto some salary to make it work (and Rielly acquiesces) it’ll be hard to manage,though Rielly’s contract is longer than Hamilton’s.
But if Brad Treliving is truly set in mind, body and heart to injecting a new jolt into the Maple Leafs, what better way to do so than to ship out the team’s longest tenured player and bring in someone who should have been that years ago.
Though as always fans, take this with a couple of grains of salt.
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Rumor: Maple Leafs Actively Pursuing No. 1 Defenseman via Trade, per Analyst
Do you think the Maple Leafs will end up trading for Dougie Hamilton?