Back in the summer of 2021, Dougie Hamilton was seen as one of the prized free agent targets available to be signed, possibly even the highest prized. While rumors were rampant throughout free agency\u2019s opening, word eventually got out that apparently Hamilton was going to be heading to New Jersey. I remember it taking a while to be completely confirmed, but the Devils had indeed gotten their man, with Dougie joining on a seven year, $63 million deal. Defense was still a work in progress for the Devils of that time, and signing Hamilton went a long way to strengthening that group, as well as complementing the young core that was now beginning to take shape.<\/p>\n
Hamilton\u2019s debut year with the Devils was\u2026okay. The defense group he joined was much stronger than prior years, but 2021-22 was the year that the Devils goaltending all but imploded between injuries and inconsistency. Hamilton continued to be a big minute eater for the Devils as he had been for the Carolina Hurricanes prior. HIs point output, however, dipped to only 30, his lowest total since back in his sophomore season for the Boston Bruins in 2013-14. While he was important for his overall play, teams don\u2019t go and spend $9 million for a 30 point guy.<\/p>\n
Call it a season to get comfortable with his new team. Call it whatever magic the 2022-23 team had. Whatever you want to say, Professor Douglas D. Admin came to be a FORCE that season.<\/p>\n
2022-23 will certainly be remembered for a variety of reasons: the highest point total in season history, Jack Hughes coming a point away from 100, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt each potting 30 goals, the list goes on. But what shouldn\u2019t be lost among those accolades is Hamilton putting up a hefty 74 points while appearing in all 82 contests. Breaking his previous career high in points by 24, Dougie looked every bit like a $9 million player and then some. While he struggled a bit in the playoffs (4 points in 12 games, -11) his goal in overtime of Game 3 of the first round gave the Devils their first playoff win since 2018<\/a> and arguably was part of what propelled them to their first postseason series win since 2012.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, 2023-24 followed. Hamilton started off hot with 16 points in 20 contests, but would suffer a pectoral injury in Game 20; he would be lost for the remainder of that season<\/a>, which saw the Devils disappointingly miss the postseason. He would return for this previous campaign, and while he would miss a chunk of it (18 games) Hamilton had a sneaky good 40 points in 64 games. He would again not have the greatest postseason, but outside of Nico, Bratt, and maybe Meier and Nemec for his double OT winner, which Devils player did?<\/p>\n