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After speculating about a possible first round swap with Columbus, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post-Dispatch raised this possibility earlier this morning:
And now it seems possibility of a #Bruins trade of Dougie Hamilton to #Coyotes is picking up steam. Would include No. 3 pick in return.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 26, 2015
UPDATE #2 (11:57 AM) And a second source believes things are brewing...
Sounds like Dougie Hamilton talk heating up. Boston very busy. Bruins asking for high-ish first-round pick as part of package.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 26, 2015
The Arizona Coyotes may be able to acquire pending RFA defenseman Dougie Hamilton from the Boston Bruins in exchange for the 3rd overall pick in this year's Draft, and perhaps more.
Hamilton would be a major acquisition for the Coyotes. While only 22 years old, Hamilton has been putting up dynamite numbers in the NHL. Per War-On-Ice:
Hamilton has only gotten better since breaking into the NHL three years ago. And a potential Oliver Ekman-Larsson/Dougie Hamilton pairing could potentially be one of the best pairings in the NHL.
There are obvious concerns though. Hamilton is poised to receive a major payday, which is likely the reason Boston is contemplating trading him at all. Can Arizona offer Hamilton what he's seeking? And if not, could they become a contender fast enough to maximize his value before he becomes an unrestricted free agent?
Of all the players mentioned in a possible trade for the third overall pick, Hamilton is by far the best. Whether Don Maloney is willing to let go of this selection, and whether the Bruins are willing to let go of their best young defenseman is a very interesting storyline heading into the 2015 NHL Draft.
UPDATE:
Most interesting thing I heard yesterday: Marc Savard contract could be in play w/Arizona trade for No. 3 pick. Coyotes need to take on $$$
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) June 26, 2015
It would make a lot of sense for Boston to insist taking the Savard contract off their hands be part of the deal. The Bruins need cap flexibility badly.
UPDATE #3 (12:10 PM): Not only is Hamilton not coming to Arizona, but it looks as though he's coming to the Pacific Division.
Hearing trade call between Boston and Calgary. Working on details but sounds like that's where Hamilton is going.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 26, 2015
Calgary makes a bold move here.