NHL Rumors: New Suitor Emerging In Dougie Hamilton Sweepstakes
David Pagnotta has noted Boston’s interest in adding a high-end right-handed defenseman after their run at Rasmus Andersson hit a snag, and that has opened the reunion door with the former Bruins first-rounder (9th overall), even if the history and the price tag makes it a bit tricky.
The 32-year-old has struggled this season, with five goals, 17 points, and a -4 plus/minus rating across 46 games played, while averaging 21:33 time on ice per game. His track record is far better than that, though.
Why Hamilton is on the table, and why Boston is circling
New Jersey has been shopping Hamilton, and the situation boiled over earlier this month when he was a healthy scratch against the Winnipeg Jets, with agent J.P. Barry suggesting it was a business move to push trade conversations forward.
"There are other options that he would prefer"@TheFourthPeriod on Dougie Hamilton being a trade candidate for the #nhlbruins@JLazzy23 | @ColbyCohen36
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) January 21, 2026
Presented by @bet365ca #NeverOrdinary #bet365 pic.twitter.com/xhqqXlO8Oe
Even in a down season, Hamilton still can be the kind of player contenders call about because the track record is elite: he had a monster 2022-23 with a career-best 22 goals and 74 points, and since entering the league he ranks among the NHL’s most productive defensemen with 517 points in 880 games, plus huge shot volume and power-play production.
Since that season, he has still been a very productive player (until this year), recording 14 goals and 56 total points across 84 games played, while averaging 20:07 time on ice.
The Bruins fit, and the two big hurdles
Hamilton is a proven offensive driver from the back end who can change a power play and tilt the ice with volume shooting, and he has shown lately that he can still pile up assists when things settle, including a current stretch where he's produced eight assists in seven games after the scratch drama.
Dougie Hamilton assisted on the first of two @NJDevils goals scored in the span of 40 seconds to extend his point streak to six games. #NHLStats: https://t.co/YSbMHrzN9y pic.twitter.com/D2d91tZPtx
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) January 24, 2026
The obstacles are just as real: he has two more years at a $9 million cap hit, and his deal includes a modified no-trade setup that gives him significant control, so any Bruins link likely comes down to whether New Jersey retains money or takes salary back, and whether Hamilton actually wants to step back into the Boston market after how his first run ended.
Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
