Explained: Why Toronto Maple Leafs–Devils trade talk has taken over NHL rumor mill

Trade speculation linking the Toronto Maple Leafs to New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton has dominated NHL conversations over the past week, quickly becoming one of the most discussed rumors around the league.

While Toronto is no stranger to big-name trade chatter, several converging factors have pushed this particular storyline into overdrive.

Why the rumors suddenly escalated

The speculation intensified when Hamilton was surprisingly listed as a healthy scratch earlier this week. For a player of his stature and pedigree, that decision immediately raised eyebrows across the league and fueled questions about his long-term future in New Jersey.

Around the same time, insiders began connecting the dots between the Devils’ cap constraints and Toronto Maple Leafs’ growing need on the blue line.

However, not all smoke signals point toward an imminent deal.

Salary retention is the real roadblock

A report from The Athletic poured some cold water on the idea of a straightforward trade. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun emphasized that any potential deal would hinge on salary retention, writing:

“It’s believed the Maple Leafs wouldn’t entertain a deal, though, unless the Devils retained significantly.”

That condition complicates matters considerably. Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, New Jersey can retain a maximum of 50% of Hamilton’s contract.

While a third-party team could theoretically retain an additional 25%, Toronto would still be responsible for the remaining portion.

With Hamilton carrying a sizable cap hit and two full seasons left on his deal, structuring such a trade would be both complex and risky.

Why Toronto Maple Leafs keeps circling back

Despite those hurdles, Maple Leafs’ interest remains logical. Toronto has been left exposed on the right side of its defense with Chris Tanev sidelined, creating a clear positional need.

While Hamilton is not known as a physical, shutdown defender, his offensive instincts, puck movement, and ability to log heavy minutes make him an appealing option to stabilize that side of the blue line.

From Toronto Maple Leafs’ perspective, targeting the best available defenseman fits a win-now approach.