Dougie Hamilton to the Maple Leafs comes down to one thing
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The Toronto Maple Leafs may have one last chance at acquiring Dougie Hamilton as the once healthy scratch blossoms.
Toronto has been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Dougie Hamilton as in only a month the New Jersey Devils blueliner has gone from outcast to linchpin in a flash.
After being a healthy scratch following a difficult season that found Hamilton out the Devils lineup, and looking likely to be dealt, Hamilton stormed back to force his way back into the New Jersey lineup.
Hamilton had three goals and 13 points in 14 games for the Devils in the month of January, having been pointless the month prior.
Having done a 180° in his trajectory, Hamilton has raised the bar, and turned himself from a potential cap dump to a must-pay for teams.
Now that he’s moved his game back to his past level, the Toronto Maple Leafs have lost much of their leverage in talks for Hamilton, and appear to have just one option left.
The only option the Maple Leafs have left to acquire Dougie Hamilton
If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to force a trade this season for Dougie Hamilton, they have one final choice to make that could decide if there is a shot, if one even still exists.
Leafs reporter James Mirtle in ‘The Athletic‘ shared that Toronto’s pursuit of Hamilton involved retention on his $9M salary, and speculates that way forward now is to take on the contract in full.
The Leafs’ first attempts at a deal here, per the source, were contingent on a lot of retention — understandably not ideal for New Jersey — but what if they opted to take on the bulk of the AAV?
Mirtle admits a deal between the Leafs and Devils for Dougie Hamilton is unlikely, something that now would come off as obvious, but he says that Toronto needs to be aggressive being in their position and a need for help on defense.
25%, maybe, although just as tough for Toronto, a team lacking assets to appeal to New Jersey.
Taking on Dougie Hamilton’s contract in full looks that it may be Brad Treliving’s sole option if he’s set on Hamilton as his one and only trade choice.
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Dougie Hamilton to the Maple Leafs comes down to one thing
Is the Leafs ability to acquire Dougie Hamilton gone now?