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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade for Dougie Hamilton

By Josh Tessler |
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: Dougie Hamilton #27 of the Calgary Flames handles the puck during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on March 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: Dougie Hamilton #27 of the Calgary Flames handles the puck during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on March 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs should look at bringing Dougie Hamilton back to the city of Toronto.

I’ll admit, I have been following Hamilton’s career like a hawk. My cousin, Brian played high school hockey with Dougie, Freddie Hamilton, and Jamie Oleksiak. I recall countless stories from my cousin of how clutch Dougie was.

I’ve watched him play on the professional stage since his junior hockey days with the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs and his stint on the Canada’s World Junior Team. Based on what I’ve seen from Hamilton throughout his hockey career, he would be a welcomed addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs roster.

Hamilton would fill a void that the Toronto Maple Leafs have. The Maple Leafs desperately need a right handed defenseman who can play on the top pairing.  Hamilton is right handed and one of the top ten best defenseman in the NHL.

While Hamilton would cost a boat-load, he would be a excellent fit.

What Hamilton Brings To The Table

Hamilton is easily one of the best two-way defensemen in the game.

Last season with the Calgary Flames, he was outstanding. He logged the highest ATOI of his career as he was playing approximately 21:32 TOI per night. With high minutes, he somehow put up the highest corsi-for (CF%) and fenwick-for (FF%) percentages of his career. He owned a 57.4 CF% and a 56 FF%.

Plus, Hamilton isn’t afraid to be physical and use his body when he needs to. Last season, he had 83 hits and 80 blocks.

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In the offensive zone, he is no couch potato. In 82 games played last year, he had 17 goals, 27 assists, 6 PPG, 12 PPP and a 6.3 S%. With some forwards like James van Riemsdyk likely not returning next season, Hamilton could help fill the gap in the offensive zone. He’s shown to be pivotal on the power-play, which would mean that the Maple Leafs could line up Hamilton alongside Morgan Rielly next season. With Rielly and Hamilton on the power-play, the Maple Leafs would have two great assets at the point.

What The Return Would Likely Be

You might be thinking that I’m nuts, but this could really happen. Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment has done a great job stocking up our farm system over the past few years. We have plenty of chips that we can play with. These chips could be rather appealing to our friends in southern Alberta.

Let’s shift to Calgary.. Last season wasn’t a great one for those in Cowtown. The Flames were supposed to be one of the best teams in the NHL, but that didn’t end up happening. They were one of the worst teams in the league when it came to GF/GP with 2.63 goals. In addition, their PP% was in the cellar as well. It’s time for a change in Calgary and they need a shake up if they want to raise the cup in the next few years.

The cost to acquire Hamilton would be high, but depending on what it was, it could be worth it.

Next: Leafs Should Pass on Carlson

The Maple Leafs should really look at opening some trade talks with the Flames for Hamilton. If they added him this off-season, they would have one of the best defensive units in the Eastern Conference and could make a serious run for the Cup.

stats from NHL.com and hockey-reference.com

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