New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton will miss the remainder of the regular season due to a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old suffered the injury during a 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on March 4 when he got tangled up with Stars forward Mason Marchment.
His absence is a significant setback for the Devils as they push for a playoff spot. General manager Tom Fitzgerald stated that Hamilton could potentially return for the Eastern Conference Second Round if the team advances and he is healthy enough to play.
Key Injuries Challenge Devils as They Adapt to Defensive and Offensive Losses
Hamilton has been a key contributor to the Devils’ defense this season, leading all team defensemen in goals (nine), assists (31), and points (40). His ability to generate offense, particularly on the power play, has been crucial.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe acknowledged the injury but emphasized that the team quickly moved forward, adapting to the situation. He noted that Hamilton would do everything possible to recover but stressed the importance of focusing on the team’s performance in his absence.
Dougie Hamilton (NHL)The Devils are dealing with multiple injuries beyond Hamilton’s. Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler was also ruled out for the rest of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury on February 4. Siegenthaler had been a reliable presence on defense, ranking second among team defensemen in blocked shots (92) and third in hits (75).
Additionally, star forward Jack Hughes will miss the remainder of the regular season with an upper-body injury suffered on March 2. These losses leave significant gaps in both the offensive and defensive units of the Devils.
Devils Adjust Lineup and Acquire Reinforcements to Stay Competitive in Playoff Race
Despite the setbacks, the Devils remain focused on adjusting to their new lineup. Defenseman Brenden Dillon acknowledged the challenge but stressed the importance of playing with more structure and a defensive mindset.
With key players missing, more responsibility falls on the remaining defensemen to step up and adapt to different roles. Keefe emphasized the need for team-wide discipline and resilience as they push through the final stretch of the season.
To address the injuries on defense, the Devils acquired Brian Dumoulin in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on March 6 and Dennis Cholowski from the New York Islanders on March 7. These moves aim to strengthen the blue line as the team continues to fight for playoff positioning.
The Devils currently sit third in the Metropolitan Division with a 36-25-6 record, trailing the second-place Carolina Hurricanes by six points. As the regular season winds down, New Jersey will need contributions from its entire roster to maintain its playoff hopes despite the injury setbacks.
