Is Dougie Hamilton Prepared for the Playoffs?
With the New Jersey Devils recently clinching a spot in the playoffs, players have begun to take rest in preparation for a potential Stanley Cup run. Stefan Noesen will not play in today’s home game against the New York Islanders, and it’s likely that more key players will be held out until Game One of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite these upcoming absences, one player may be returning just in time for the postseason: defensemen Dougie Hamilton. After missing about a month of play due to a lower-body injury, Hamilton has rejoined the team for warmups—an encouraging sign that he may be preparing for a return to the lineup.
March revealed itself as an unlucky month for the Devils, as forward Jack Hughes suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during a game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Just days later, Hamilton had a lower-body injury during a game against the Dallas Stars that ended his regular-season appearances. Hamilton had gotten tangled with Dallas’ Mason Marchment and twisted his right ankle along the boards, forcing him to spend the past month skating on his own during rehab. Having put up 40 points in the 63 games he played this season, nine of which being goals, Hamilton proved to be a key all-around contributor the team has sorely missed.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe has been adamant about getting Hamilton back on the ice, noting that they “expect him to be available” in time for the playoffs. Keefe has also mentioned that the team has been catching “Hamilton up to speed…but we have to ramp him up” over the course of the next few days before the playoffs officially begin on Saturday, April 19th. Hamilton appears fully on board with his return, as he attended his first full team practice yesterday and said he’s “trying my best to get back and be with the guys and help the team.” Keefe was particularly impressed by Hamilton’s performance, saying “he ended up doing a little bit more than even we had anticipated.” While the team is approaching his recovery day by day, Hamilton was once again seen dressed for warmups this morning, though he wasn’t ready to play in today’s game against the Islanders.
With Hamilton’s recovery seemingly ahead of schedule, there’s a strong possibility that he could return during the playoffs. The Devils are set to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, with the Hurricanes holding home-ice advantage thanks to their second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. To compete at their best the Devils will need all of their key players at full strength. Hamilton’s recent commitment to getting back on the ice underscores his sense of responsibility to his teammates and to fans around the world.
