It’s official: the Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Dougie Hamilton, sending the Boston Bruins these three draft picks (all in 2015):
- 15th overall selection.
- 45th pick.
- 52nd pick.
The early reactions are that the Bruins didn’t get enough for Hamilton, even if their takeaway is a combination of draft choices and, essentially, cap relief.
Bruins get only three draft picks from Flames for Hamilton: 15th overall and two second rounders. Not nearly enough.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) 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
As an RFA, Hamilton, 22, still needs a contract. That might not be much of an issue, though.
Hamilton extension in Calgary likely not an issue given the history of agent JP Barry and the Flames.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2015
Even if the Flames trade a blueliner from their bloated mix - perhaps former Bruins defenseman Dennis Wideman? - this is a stacked group. Calgary’s defense now includes Mark Giordano, TJ Brodie, Kris Russell, Wideman and now Hamilton. Few, if any, teams can approach that sort of depth.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie makes an interesting point: even if some are upset with the return, it might be more appropriate to compare it to what they’d have received in an offer-sheet situation.
BOS return marginally better than what they would get if Hamilton got an offer sheet. From CGY side, upgraded pics worth it. Got player.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 26, 2015
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
This continues a run of Bruins trades that also included shipping Carl Soderberg to the Colorado Avalanche.