In typical Bruins fashion, Boston has traded a tremendous young player and received little value in return.
In an absolute steal of a trade that stunned many, Calgary has acquired defenceman Dougie Hamilton from the Boston Bruins in exchange for picks #15, 45, and 52.
The 6’5”, 212lbs. right-handed defenceman was drafted 9th overall in 2011 by Boston, and has already established himself as a top defenceman in the NHL. Hamilton has 83 points in 178 games in the NHL, which includes 42 points in 72 games this past season.
A restricted free agent, Hamilton had many rumours attached to him, particularly regarding offer sheets. Edmonton in particular was a team that many said could submit an offer sheet for Hamilton.
The surprisingly low return has led some to speculate that this was done as a “revenge move” of sorts against Boston’s former GM, although that sounds like a ridiculous thing for a professional hockey club to do. Other reasons have been suggested on Twitter for the poor return:
Some teams didn't even seem aware Hamilton was being aggressively shopped today. Bruins auction process for a player this good was flawed.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 26, 2015
Bruins were also offered much higher first rounders than 15th overall, which adds to strangeness of the trade.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 26, 2015
Rival GM: "They wanted much more from us."
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) June 26, 2015
Hamilton will be a key fixture on Calgary’s blueline along with Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie. Here is some more fallout from the deal:
https://twitter.com/JonathanWillis/status/614516443527278592
Sad part of Hamilton trade is that now we won't get the drama of Peter Chiarelli slapping his former team with an offer sheet. Damn it!!!!
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 26, 2015
I can't wait for the Bruins to trade whoever they take 15th tonight for three more picks five years from now.
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) June 26, 2015
This shit wouldn't go through on NHL 15 https://t.co/WIZJQ1O2bw
— Fear the Fin (@fearthefin) June 26, 2015
**Update**
Per a source, Edmonton offered B's 16th, 33rd & 57th picks in this draft, but Boston wanted Darnell Nurse as part of the package for DH27
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) June 26, 2015
No wonder Edmonton didn’t make the trade.