Dougie Hamilton's 'Strategic 10-Team Trade List' Making A Trade Difficult for Devils

It's been heavily speculated that the New Jersey Devils would like to get off the last 2 1/2 years of defenseman Dougie Hamilton's $9 million cap hit to alleviate their difficult cap situation.

Speaking on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, insider David Pagnotta says the particular construction of Hamilton's 10-team trade list could be a sticking point for the Devils.

The Devils would like something to happen. They've had a lot of discussion...
I heard that his 10-team list is very strategic. Some players have done this, where there's a 10 team trade list or whatever it is, and they strategize on where they're not likely to go. I don't know the teams on his trade list, but I was just told it's very strategic, making it that much more difficult for the Devils to potentially pull off a trade.

What we do know is that they've tried to trade him at least a couple of times, including back in the summer, says Pagnotta, but Hamilton has not been willing to waive his no-trade clause for any of the other 21 teams.

'Poison pill' in Dougie Hamilton's contract is making a trade difficult as well

The other issue plaguing a potential trade—even for one of his 10 teams—is the fact that there's a "poison pill" in his contract: A $7.4 million signing bonus due on July 1st. As Jeff Marek said, "July 2, this might be an easier trade (to make)."

Hamilton has said repeatedly that he wants to stay in Jersey. Before the season, he told reporters, “I signed here for a reason, and I love being here. Our goal is to win the Stanley Cup here, and I want to keep trying to do that.”

The 32-year-old's offense is way down this season, with just five goals and 10 points through 40 games. That puts him on pace for the lowest full-season points total of his 14-year career. He's logging 21:41 of ice time per night.