Devils sign Dougie Hamilton

   The New Jersey Devils had tons of cap space entering the free agency period and were rumored to be players in free agency due to that space.

However, the Devils had that same space in recent years and didn't use it to try to jump-start a program that has seen the once-proud franchise miss the postseason in eight of the most recent nine seasons.

Add that Newark isn't exactly a high-end destination for free agents, the recent success of the Islanders dropping the  Devils to third place in a three-team market, owners that have said they are willing to spend to improve but really haven't done so often since buying the franchise and you have a recipe for a team that would be involved in rumors for the top players but unlikely to sign them.

Tom Fitzgerald and the New Jersey Devils thumbed their nose at all of those factors when they landed the top player available in free agency and at a position that the Devils were desperate for a difference-maker when the Devils signed defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a seven-year contract worth sixty-three million dollars.

Hamilton was taken ninth overall by Boston in the 2011 draft, which was the same draft that the Devils selected Adam Larsson fourth overall at the same position.

While I really liked Larsson in that draft as the top defenseman and Larsson has developed into a fine player, it's clear that Dougie Hamilton is the superior player, especially in the offensive zone.

Hamilton scored 10 goals with 32 assists in 55 games last season for Carolina, is a power-play standout, and brings the type of offensive skills to the blueline that the Devils haven't seen since the departure of Scott Niedermayer.

Hamilton has scored 10 or more goals in each of the last seven seasons and at 6'6 has the type of size and vision that few in the game possess.

Hamilton finished fourth in the Norris Trophy voting last season, Hamilton would be the best defenseman on almost every team in the league and very few players of his level make it to the free-agent market.

Hamilton only recently turned 28 and for most players that are signing a long free-agent contract, Hamilton is actually quite young.

Hamilton will be 35 when the deal is finished, and when you consider that many elite defensemen play into their late thirties, there may not be the drastic dropoff in performance that many veterans have on such long contracts.

Compared to the eight-year extension for seventy-six million for Seth Jones, the Blackhawks agreed to yesterday for a player that Hamilton is superior to, You'll see why I am excited about the contract for the player on the ice and its value the salary cap.

When you consider all of those factors, this appears to be an excellent contract for Hamilton and a relative bargain for the Devils.

At worst, this contract could be high for the last year or two and I think even that result is very unlikely considering Hamilton's age.

The New Jersey Devils went out and grabbed the best player available in free agency.

The team will be better for it and while I still don't think the Devils can count on a playoff spot quite yet as a few more additions may be needed for a postseason visit, but a cornerstone was added to the eventual playoff team with the signing of Dougie Hamilton and maybe the start of potential success for Tom Fitzgerald as team GM as well.