NJHN Daily: Devils’ Dougie Hamilton Hits NHL Trade Board; Kadri Available; League Waves Goodbye to EBUG Rule…see more…
In a summer already full of shake-ups and surprises, the latest edition of the NHL Trade Board has fans and insiders buzzing — and for good reason. New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton and Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri are among the prominent names now featured as potential trade candidates, signaling that both franchises could be headed for major changes. Meanwhile, the league’s decision to do away with the Emergency Backup Goaltender (EBUG) protocol marks the end of one of the sport’s most beloved quirks.
For the Devils, the inclusion of Dougie Hamilton on the trade board marks a dramatic twist in their offseason. Hamilton, a key figure on the New Jersey blue line since signing a seven-year, $63 million deal in 2021, has provided stability and offensive production when healthy. However, after an injury-plagued 2023–24 campaign in which he played just 20 games before undergoing pectoral surgery, New Jersey appears to be re-evaluating the long-term makeup of its defense corps.
At 31 years old, Hamilton still carries significant value around the league — a right-shot defenseman with strong puck-moving ability and power-play skill remains in high demand. According to multiple sources, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is listening to offers, not actively shopping the veteran, but keeping his options open. Teams in win-now mode — including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, and Los Angeles Kings — are believed to be keeping tabs on Hamilton’s availability.
One executive told NJHN on Wednesday, “If Hamilton is healthy and ready to go, he’s a top-pairing guy who can help a contending team right away. That cap hit is big, but not unworkable, especially if New Jersey retains some salary or takes a contract back.”
The Devils’ interest in reconfiguring their back end follows a disappointing finish to their 2024 season. After a playoff appearance in 2023, expectations were sky-high, but the club failed to qualify last year, plagued by injuries, inconsistent goaltending, and defensive lapses. With Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec continuing to emerge, Hamilton’s role — and his $9 million cap hit through 2027–28 — might be seen as an opportunity to free up space and build flexibility.
Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames seem poised for more changes of their own. After trading Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, and Chris Tanev last season, the franchise could next part ways with Nazem Kadri. The veteran center, 33, has four years remaining on his seven-year, $49 million deal signed in 2022. While his numbers rebounded last season — 68 points in 82 games — sources suggest the Flames are listening to interest from Eastern Conference clubs seeking a playoff-tested pivot.
Kadri’s combination of skill, grit, and experience makes him attractive to teams looking to deepen their forward corps, especially those with younger rosters. The New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, and Ottawa Senators are rumored to be evaluating Kadri’s fit, although his no-trade clause and sizable contract complicate potential negotiations.
A league source indicated, “Kadri wants to win and be in a competitive environment. Calgary’s transition may not align with that timeline. It’s a mutual understanding.”
Kadri was instrumental in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup run and is still viewed as a potential difference-maker in a playoff series. However, with the Flames continuing a roster overhaul under GM Craig Conroy, both sides may soon agree that a change of scenery is best.
As both Hamilton and Kadri dominate trade speculation, another major storyline emerged this week from the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting: the formal elimination of the EBUG system, effective for the 2025–26 season. The league announced plans to implement a mandatory three-goaltender roster structure, ending one of the sport’s most unique — and at times, romanticized — rules.
Under the now-defunct EBUG protocol, each team was required to have an emergency goalie available during home games — often a local amateur or part-time player who could suit up for either side in the event of dual injuries. The most famous instance occurred in 2020, when 42-year-old Zamboni driver David Ayres became an instant legend by backstopping the Carolina Hurricanes to victory in Toronto.
While the stories generated national headlines and endeared fans, the league now deems the system too unreliable and risky in an era of increased professionalism and medical oversight. Starting in 2025, every team will be required to carry three contracted goaltenders: two active on game nights, and one either in the press box or on recall notice.
“The league appreciated the charm of EBUGs, but the time has come for a more secure structure,” Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. “We’re prioritizing readiness and player safety while still maintaining the integrity of the game.”
Teams will have to adjust their roster management to comply, likely leading to more two-way contracts for young goalies and increased movement between AHL affiliates and NHL clubs. Some insiders believe this could spark new investments in goaltending development, as clubs recognize the need for deeper pipelines.
Still, fans expressed mixed feelings. Social media was flooded with tributes to past EBUG heroes like Ayres and Scott Foster, the Chicago accountant who stopped all seven shots he faced in a 2018 game. For many, those moments captured the improbable, fairy-tale spirit of hockey.
“Those games were unforgettable. I’ll miss knowing a beer league goalie could become the hero on any night,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
As the NHL moves further into an era of analytics, cap gymnastics, and roster precision, the departures of Hamilton and Kadri — should they happen — and the loss of EBUGs reflect a shifting landscape. There’s less room now for sentimentality and more demand for cold, calculated decision-making. Yet in that transformation, the stories remain — and fans will keep watching for the next twist in the league’s ever-changing narrative.
With the offseason heating up and teams preparing for training camps in September, expect the trade chatter around Hamilton and Kadri to intensify in the coming weeks. As for the EBUG era? It’s of
ficially gone, but never forgotten.
