I would trade Hamilton for klefbom + yak (realistic)/ebs (gotta consider the treliving bonus) all day
Trading Hamilton would be the largest mistake Calgary would make. Hamilton is Gio's successor as the #1 d-man and when he reaches his pinnacle he could be the best Flame D-man to lace-em up since Al MacInnis.
I honestly don't see the #1 in Dougie. I get he's only 22, but his mobility severely limits how useful of a dman he can be. My guess is he tops out as a 2/3 guy.
A dominating all-round defenseman. Plays aggressively, loves to be physical and hits a lot. A hard-working team player. Possesses one of the hardest slapshots in the game. Lacks speed and agility, which can lead to issues with quick forwards. A very good penalty killer and, thanks to his slapshot, a useful point man on powerplay. (Matias Strozyk, 2011) - See more at: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4530#sthash.28HRRN1z.dpuf
Dougies strength of his game is his skating, always has been. He also has a great shot, and makes excellent passes in all zones. He's not a brusier, but he will lay guys out on occasion. I think he's a #2 now, given his age he could easily be our #1. I'm a big time fan.
There's different types of skating, though. Dougie's a fast skater, but he isn't quick or overly agile from what I've seen.
Dougie Hamilton is nowhere near as mean as Chara.
Essentially he's an elite number #3, at 22 years old playing 2nd pairing minutes.
I think Dougie's about 28th in NHL Dmen scoring.
Kinda want to hear a season long report on how Hamilton has adjusted to a new team? I see their were some stretches of bad play - but he looks right back to where he should be.
I was very very surprised by the trade, I thought this player was destined to take the reins once Chara was gone - and be a terror for all Leaf fans (his comments about being glad he wasn't on Toronto made me cringe) I still see that potential and think the Flames have a legit RH number 2 Dman, and great building chip. Boy would he of been nice on Rielly's right side.
Which is worth absolutely nothing other than a number for fans to pump his tires. Players who play more will also generally play tougher competition.15th in P/60 for Dmen who've played over 10 games, for what it's worth.