Entering the off-season, the New Jersey Devils were expected to pursue additional scoring punch after their offense declined last season. It was among the reasons why the Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] eliminated them from the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in five games. It was assumed the Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils] might draw from their defense corps for trade bait to land a scoring forward. In March, there was conjecture [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-on-sam-bennetts-future-and-devils] suggesting a promising blueliner, such as Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey, might be available after Johnathan Kovacevic signed a five-year contract extension [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/report-devils-nearing-contract-extension-with-key-defenseman]. However, a more notable Devils defenseman could be available. During his season-ending episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast on Sunday, Elliotte Friedman wondered [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/the-season-finale-4/] about Dougie Hamilton's future in New Jersey. Friedman said he'd heard that Hamilton's name was “out there” in the trade market, adding the Devils had spoken to a couple of teams about the 32-year-old puck-moving blueliner. He thinks there's a low percentage chance that Hamilton gets moved but pointed out his no-movement clause reverted to a 10-team trade list on July 1. The Devils also paid him his signing bonus on July 1. Hamilton carries an average annual value of $9 million through 2027-28 [https://puckpedia.com/player/dougie-hamilton]. A skillful, mobile rearguard, he has reached or exceeded 40 points in eight of his 13 NHL seasons, but injuries have also plagued him in recent years. The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/nhl-rumors-devils-star-coming-up-in-trade-talks] said trading Hamilton would leave a hole in the team’s top four, and they don’t need to rush any potential move. That said, if Nemec and Casey are ready to take over on the right side, then DeRosa said Hamilton could be moved for the right offer. Dougie Hamilton (James Guillory-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e5f2877a-fe74-4f04-9aa2-0df902d53fe7.jpeg] Dougie Hamilton (James Guillory-Imagn Images) Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins], trade speculation continues to swirl around the rebuilding Penguins, especially after they shipped goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/latest-news/sharks-acquire-alex-nedeljkovic-from-penguins] on July 1. Most of the conjecture concerns veteran forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Both are signed through 2027-28 [https://puckpedia.com/team/pittsburgh-penguins] with Rust carrying a $5.125 million average annual value and Rakell $5 million. Rust frequently surfaced in the rumor mill after his no-movement clause expired on July 1. Meanwhile, Rakell carries an eight-team no-trade list for the remainder of his contract. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Rust is drawing plenty of interest [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/the-season-finale-4/], but he remains loyal to the Penguins. He also indicated that Rakell wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Josh Yohe of The Athletic thinks both players will still be in the Penguins' lineup when the regular season begins in October. However, he wouldn't be surprised [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6467360/2025/07/02/yohe-10-observations-penguins-free-agency/] if at least one of them was gone by next year's trade deadline. DeRosa wrote [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/nhl-rumors-penguins-top-trade-candidate-wants-to-stay-put] that with Rakell putting up a career-high 35 goals and 70 points this past season, his trade value is higher now. Yohe considers Rust and Rakell as “valuable commodities who are in their 30s.” He expects they could each fetch a first-round pick. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
