Devils sign Hamilton to 7-year, $63M deal

The New Jersey Devils have inked defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $9 million, the team announced Wednesday.

Hamilton, widely considered to be the best free-agent blue-liner available, racked up 42 points in 55 games with the Carolina Hurricanes this past season.

With the 28-year-old on the ice at five-on-five in 2021, the Hurricanes controlled 56% of the shot attempts, 62% of the goals, and 58% of the high-danger chances.

Dougie Hamilton, signed 7x$9M by NJ, is one of the league's top offensive defenceman. He's got an elite shot and loves to use it and drives play like few other blueliners in the league. Does have some issues in his own end and has a tendency to take bad penalties. #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/oyKmbcFxyj

- JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 28, 2021

Hamilton should slot in on the Devils' top defensive pairing and top power-play unit.

After adding Hamilton to the mix, New Jersey traded defenseman Will Butcher and a 2022 fifth-rounder to the Buffalo Sabres for future considerations.

The Hurricanes apparently gave Hamilton permission to speak to other clubs early last month. Carolina's last offer for him was an eight-year, $50-million deal, according to The Athletic's Sara Civian.

Hamilton was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2011. He has 341 career points in 607 games.

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