Boston trades Dougie Hamilton to the Flames
The Boston Bruins made the first of two major trades today trading star Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames. In exchange the Bruins have received from Calgary the 15th, 42nd and 57th picks in this 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In acquiring Hamilton, the Calgary Flames are adding to what is already an impressive blue line with the likes of: Mark Giordano, Kris Russell, T.J. Brodie, Dennis Wideman, Ladislav Smid and Deryk Engelland.
When interviewed after the trade, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving stated this: “I like that defence and I think it’s critical to build your team from the defence out. This is a player who fits where we’re going in Calgary. This is not a deviation in terms of the young players that we’re building around. To me he adds to it.”
Many believed the price was steep to pay. Hamilton is destined to become an elite defenceman and hasn’t reached his prime yet. Hamilton will be joining the ranks of a solid core of young players already in place with Sam Bennett, Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.
In this case, Boston general manager Don Sweeney couldn’t take the risk of having Hamilton getting an offer sheet he couldn’t match and if he matched it would have created some serious issues for his salary cap. Hamilton was asking for a salary in the range of 5 to 7 million and that is something Calgary will need to come up with to sign Hamilton. It appears that Calgary will have no issues meeting Dougie Hamilton’s demands, accordin to Bob Mckenzie in one of his tweets following the trade.
“I don’t believe that Dougie would’ve been comfortable in Boston going forward for long-term,” Sweeney said.
Treliving mentioned that he was able to do this trade without touching his prospects and was very satisfied with the way it all went. “We’ve got picks. We still got a second round pick. We’ve got six picks overall. Our cupboard is not bare.” Treliving said.
When interviewed via a conference call, Hamilton said: “I’m excited to get to Calgary and meet the guys and start playing and enjoy playing in front of the fans. It’s going to be real exciting.” Now that Hamilton is a Calgary Flames, Brad Treliving reached out to his agent J.P. Barry to start to hammer out a deal that will make Hamilton a rich man for a long time. It will be easier for the Flames signed than it was for the Bruins. Calgary has a lot more space to maneuver under the cap and a deal will be done easily in this case.
Hamilton who was drafted ninth overall at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft has recorded 22 goals 61 assists in 178 career games played. In 2014-2015, Hamilton recorded 10 goals, 32 assists for 42 points.
