Devils’ Hamilton Ignores Trade Buzz, Plus Leafs And Capitals Speculation

Despite Luke Hughes’ contract standoff
with the New Jersey Devils, the two sides are expected to agree to a
long-term deal.

That prompted some pundits to ponder
Dougie Hamilton’s future with the Devils. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun last
week wondered how many power-play quarterbacks a team needs in
today’s NHL. With Hughes seen as the Devils’ future No. 1 blueliner,
Hamilton’s role with the club could be in question.

Hamilton told NJ.com’s Ryan Novozinsky he has heard the trade rumors but said he’s not paying much
attention to them. The 32-year-old defenseman acknowledged trades happen, and it’s part of the business of hockey. However, he
wants to remain with the Devils because he believes he can help them
win the Stanley Cup.

Most of the trade conjecture suggested
the Devils could move Hamilton to address other roster needs and
clear his $9-million cap hit from their books. However, that cap hit
would also make it difficult to move him. While the salary cap is
rising significantly, teams still must manage their cap space
carefully.

Hamilton’s no-trade clause also
complicates things. PuckPedia indicates he has a list of 10 teams he’d accept getting
dealt to, which significantly limits the options for suitable trade
partners.

On Friday, we examined recent
speculation about the Toronto Maple Leafs, including the possibility
of Nick Robertson becoming a trade candidate.

Add David Kampf to that category. Jonas
Siegel of The Athletic reported the 30-year-old center believed he
would be traded during the off-season. Although that never
materialized, his future with the Maple Leafs remains uncertain.

Siegel noted that Scott Laughton has
replaced Kampf as the Leafs’ fourth-line center. The club could make
room for promising right winger Easton Cowan.

Kampf’s contract could hinder efforts
to trade him. He’s signed through next season with an average annual
value of $2.4 million. Siegel suggests he could be demoted to the
Marlies if he clears waivers.

Turning to the Washington Capitals,
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported last Thursday that goaltender Clay
Stevenson’s solid pre-season play has drawn interest from a few teams
who see him as a future waiver claim.

Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren are
locks as the Capitals’ goalie tandem, leaving Stevenson as the odd
man out.

The Hockey News’ Sammi Silber reports
Stevenson was projected to be the No. 1 goalie for the Capitals’ AHL
affiliate in Hershey this season. She believes he’s all but certain
to go on waivers, where a rival club will likely pluck him away.

Rather than lose Stevenson for nothing,
the Capitals could see what he might fetch in the trade market.

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