Could New Jersey Devils defenceman Dougie Hamilton be the solution to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ defensive needs?I was told by a league source that this was highly unlikely in mid-January, but call me stubborn: There’s a good fit here, should the Devils decide to sell low on the big right-shot defenseman.

The retooling Leafs need to remake their defence to have more of a playmaking element, and with Chris Tanev (injuries) and Morgan Rielly (underperformance) both having cloudy futures in Toronto, there are going to be cap dollars and big minutes available.

Hamilton has an annual cap hit of $9 million through the 2027-28 season. So far this year he’s struggled in New Jersey, and has suffered numerous injuries over the past few seasons. Nevertheless, he’s a Toronto native who brings tremendous size to the blue line and veteran presence. If the Devils view him as a cap dump, it may come cheaper, and it’s the kind of the risk the Leafs may want to take at this point, Mirtle continues:

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? Toronto lacks many high-end picks or prospects, but if this becomes a cap dump, Hamilton brings an intriguing mix, including the ability to quarterback a top power play with star talent. And cap room is no longer an issue in Toronto.

The Leafs are going to have to get a lot bolder and take some chances to right the ship next season; swinging hard on an oft-injured $9 million reclamation project qualifies.

Johnston on the other hand believes that Hamilton will find his way to the Carolina Hurricanes, where he spent three seasons from 2017-2021.

Give us your thoughts, do you think Dougie Hamilton will end up in Toronto and what would you be willing to give up to acquire him?

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