Hamilton was cleared by Hurricanes to speak to teams: reports
Dougie Hamilton has permission for the Carolina Hurricanes to speak to other teams before eventually becoming an unrestricted free agent next month, according to multiple reports.
Sportsnet and TSN have reported that Agent JP Barry may speak to other NHL teams to potentially secure a signing and trade deal for the defenseman.
The Hurricanes and the expanding Seattle Kraken are the only teams that can offer Hamilton a maximum eight-year term. If he signs elsewhere as a free agent after July 28, the maximum contract length would be seven years.
Hamilton said last week that the Hurricanes had yet to resume talks about his re-signing. He was in the final season of a six-year contract he signed with the Calgary Flames on June 30, 2015. He was traded to Carolina on June 23, 2018.
“I let my agent do the talking, but they kind of postponed the conversations until the end of the season and I’m sure they’ll be doing it again soon,” Hamilton said on June 9.
Hamilton led the Carolina defensemen and tied for seventh in the NHL with 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 55 games. He scored 18 points on the power play.
“I really like it here,†Hamilton said. “I have very good friends, I have met very, very good people in the hall and outside the hall also outside the rink. I have nothing negative to say about my experience here and as a Carolina Hurricane and really enjoyed it.I hope we can continue. “
The Hurricanes (36-12-8) lost the Stanley Cup second round in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning after being seeded No. 1 in the Discover Central Division. Hamilton has five points (two goals, three assists) in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.