"With Kovacevic back and Simon Nemec, 21, needing to play games in the eyes of Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, and Brett Pesce a bright spot on the team's blue line, Hamilton is, in the words of New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe, the odd-man out. It's not that simple, according to Hamilton's agent, J.P. Barry, who told The Athletic he views Hamilton's scratching as a calculated maneuver intended to force the 2020-21 NHL All-Star to accept a trade."
"Hamilton's contract runs through the 2027-28 season and carries a $9 million cap hit. Per PuckPedia, he is owed $13.65 million in salary over the next two seasons, including a $7.4 million bonus this offseason. Barry told The Athletic that Hamilton is willing to be flexible with his 10-team trade list, saying, We have made it clear to the Devils that we will consider teams outside our list and other creative ways to get to a team that is mutually acceptable."
Dougie Hamilton, 32, is expected to be a healthy scratch as Johnathan Kovacevic returns to the Devils' lineup. With Kovacevic back, Simon Nemec needing games, and Brett Pesce performing well, Hamilton is viewed as the odd-man out on New Jersey's blue line. Hamilton is in the fifth year of a seven-year, $63 million contract that includes a modified no-trade clause limiting trades to 10 teams. The Sharks attempted to acquire Hamilton last offseason but he blocked that move. Hamilton's agent says the scratch appears designed to force a trade and that Hamilton will consider teams outside his ten-team list and other creative solutions.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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