NHL Rumors: Could Dougie Hamilton and Dawson Mercer Spark a New Era for the New Jersey Devils?

The saga surrounding Dougie Hamilton and the New Jersey Devils has reached a new boiling point. After rejecting a trade to San Jose last offseason, it seems the cracks in this relationship only widened, culminating in a public announcement that Hamilton won’t return until he agrees to move on—a development that’s as awkward as it is telling. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes mess no team wants aired out in the open, yet here we are, watching it unfold with a mix of disbelief and a bit of grim inevitability. Both sides appear to bear some blame: the Devils perhaps dragging their feet on a decisive trade push, and Hamilton, holding firm on his no-move rights, unwilling—or unable—to budge. Meanwhile, amidst the swirling rumors, young forward Dawson Mercer shrugs it off with a refreshing dose of pragmatism, calling the trade chatter “white noise” and focusing squarely on the game and his teammates. With a $4 million cap hit and versatility on the ice, Mercer’s calm amidst chaos offers a stark contrast to the tumult gripping the club. The Devils’ organization collectively held its breath waiting for change—now that seismic shift has happened, the question is: what comes next? LEARN MORE

The Dougie Hamilton situation and Dawson Mercer says the rumors are white noise

Arthur Staple: Commenting on the New Jersey Devils and Dougie Hamilton situation.

“– When Hamilton rejected a trade to SJ last offseason, as was reported, that was probably the beginning of the end for him. What happened yesterday, with Keefe and GMTF basically announcing that Dougie is out until he’s willing to leave, is ugly and something that should never get out in public, but here we are. It’s already lingered too long and we’ll see what happens next. Shouldn’t be too much longer now that it’s hit this stage.

— I’ll agree with both sides here: TF should have made a stronger push to get Hamilton out in the summer and Hamilton and his camp should have realized the end was near once that trade was vetoed — and it seems possible there’s been another veto since. Players fight for those no-move clauses and are well within their rights to exercise them, but things don’t exist in a vacuum. The team has to change, and everyone needs to realize it.

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— Very obvious that the whole org has been holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. OK now, something’s happened. It’s seismic. Go out and act like you don’t want anything else to change now, starting today.”

Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News: New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer has had his name in the rumor mill for a while now, dating back to February of 2023 and the Devils talks that ultimately brought Timo Meier to town. Mercer doesn’t may much attention to it anymore.

“It has honestly been for a few years now, different trades, but that stuff is white noise,” he said. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t really pay much attention that stuff. That is all stuff out of your control. I come in here, try to get better every day, and help the team win. I love it here, so it is coming in and going out there every day with the guys.”

The 24-year-old Mercer has one year left at a $4 million cap hit, and has played both center and the wing.

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