Could Red Wings Trade For Dougie Hamilton?
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
In an ongoing quest to bolster their blue line, the Red Wings have been inquiring about various young defensemen across the league. Most recently, those calls have concerned the likes of Anaheim's Cam Fowler and Winnipeg's Jake Trouba.
Unfortunately for Wings' GM Ken Holland, there hasn't been much interest on the other end of the line.
So Sportsnet's Elliote Friedman is here to suggest another target: Dougie Hamilton.
The 23-year-old defenseman of the Calgary Flames has been mentioned in trade rumors recently, with his team off to a slow start and his ice time declining. Hamilton's minutes per game have decreased each of the last three seasons and are lower now than they've been since his 2012-13 rookie campaign.
It appears the Flames aren't receiving what they expected from the former Bruins defenseman when they acquired him in the 2015 offseason in exchange for three draft picks (including a first-rounder).
Could the organization cut its losses and part ways with Hamilton?
"If you trade him now, you might be selling low," Friedman writes, "but I think there are teams who believe they can make a better player out of him yet. He's 23. Wonder if Detroit, having struck out so far on Cam Fowler and Jacob Trouba, would have interest."
Again, Hamilton isn't on the trading block. Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos clarified that last weekend.
"I don't suggest for one second that Calgary's shopping this guy, but there are teams inquiring. The two teams I'm hearing that are kicking tires are Arizona and Pittsburgh," Kypreos said.
And it's certainly an idea worth pursuing for Holland.
Struggles or not, Hamilton is a special breed. He's 6'6, he's a smooth skater, he has good offensive instincts and he's been a positive possession player over the course of his career. He is an asset.
Not to mention, Hamilton's point totals are far superior to those of both Fowler and Trouba. Neither of the latter two has ever scored more than 40 points in a season. Hamilton has done so twice.
Their respective numbers over the past two full seasons are below.
Hamilton: 154 GP, 22 G, 63 A, 85 PTS (.55 pts/gm)
Fowler: 149 GP, 12 G, 50 A, 62 PTS (.42 pts/gm)
Trouba: 146 GP, 13 G, 30 A, 43 PTS (.29 pts/gm)
Maybe the time to make a pitch for Hamilton is now. His stock is low, probably the lowest it's been in his NHL career, and the Flames seem open to entertaining offers. It would still take a boatload to pry him from Calgary's hands, but given Hamilton's skill set, his production and his (still-formidable) potential, the Wings would be wise to give the Flames a call.
