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Whenever there's talk of the Calgary Flames shaking up their roster, Dougie Hamilton's name seems to surface.
This time around it's no different.
In the latest edition of the 31 Thoughts podcast, a listener asked about big names we could potentially see traded this summer.
Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman brought up the usual cast of characters – Erik Karlsson, Max Pacioretty, Jason Spezza, etc. – before getting to Hamilton (
transcription via FRSHockey).
Marek wondered about “anyone in Calgary.”
“I think they’re going to try to do something,” noted Friedman. “I think there’s a lot of interest in Dougie Hamilton.”
Now, it's not at all surprising GM Brad Treliving wants to "do something." The team underachieved in ugly fashion. Generally there is plenty of change when that happens. There's also talk Treliving wants to move back into the 1st round and, well, that's usually costly.
It's also not at all surprising Dougie Hamilton is drawing plenty of interest. That doesn't mean it's a good idea to trade him. It's anything but.
For one, the Flames want to get back on track and contend sooner than later. I have a very hard time believing the Flames could acquire a player better suited to help them do that that than Hamilton.
He is a 24-year-old smooth-skating defenseman who chews up tons of minutes vs top competition, drives play, and produces a lot of offense.
In 2016-17 he recorded 50 points. Last season he finished tied for 1st in goals among defensemen with 17 and recorded a ridiculous 270 shots on goal. Very few can do what he does.
On top of losing an excellent player, trading Hamilton would break up arguably the best defense pairing in the NHL.
Over the last two seasons, 74 pairings have logged at least 700 minutes together at 5v5. The Mark Giordano - Hamilton duo ranks 1st in Corsi For%, tied for 1st with a +27 goal differential, and 3rd in Expected Goals For%. By all accounts they are elite, as Bill Peters alluded to in his introductory press conference.
Would Hamilton fetch a good haul? Absolutely. There's a reason for that, though.
You all know the saying that sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make. I think that'd apply should the Flames hold onto Hamilton.
If they want to shake things up, and use a defender to bring in a good piece, T.J. Brodie is the guy I'd be dealing.
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