• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes’ Hamilton Embarks on Crucial 2020-21 Season

By Matt Cosman January 12th, 2021

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Throughout 47 games last season, Dougie Hamilton was a lead candidate for the MVP of the Carolina Hurricanes. Not only that, but the Toronto, Ontario-born defenseman was in the running for the Norris Trophy as well.

However, on Jan. 16, 2020, his blazing momentum was halted when he broke his left fibula in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was ruled out for the rest of the season, but the postponement of the 2020 postseason allowed him to return for a brief five-game playoff appearance.

But that’s all behind him now. Hamilton now looks to begin a fresh new season, and while he’s presumably fully healthy, there are certain factors that will make this upcoming season the most important of his career.

Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes
Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The constraints of a COVID-19-impacted season will already add an element of stress, but Hamilton will also be returning from a serious injury, in a key role for his team, while he fights to prove his worth in the crucial final year of his contract.

The Pressure of a Contract Year

Hamilton, 27, will be an unrestricted free agent following this season. This will be his third year with the Hurricanes, after serving three seasons each with the Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins.

What makes this season paramount for Hamilton, however, is that he made significant strides last year as both a player and leader on a Hurricanes squad that loves him dearly. He was on pace for career-highs in goals, points and time-on-ice (TOI) before his season was derailed in January.

Hamilton recently stated he hopes to stay with the Hurricanes, but wishes to keep his focus on the season at hand. Although it appears Hamilton’s agent and Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell will be negotiating throughout the season, it may benefit the Hurricanes to get a deal done sooner than later.

Don Waddell Carolina Hurricanes
Don Waddell, Carolina Hurricanes, 2019 NHL Draft (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Make no mistake – if the Hurricanes fail to re-sign Hamilton and he departs to free agency, it will be seen as a colossal failure by Hurricanes brass. But if Hamilton produces at the rate he did last year, his value will only grow as the season progresses, which will make it more difficult to come to an agreement.

Waddell stated in November that signing Hamilton is a priority, but the Hurricanes also have Russian sniper Andrei Svechnikov due for a new contract at season’s end. Unfortunately for Waddell, the coronavirus pandemic caused the league’s salary cap ceiling to remain at $81.5 million for this season. That gives him little wiggle room, as any potential increase for the 2021-22 season still remains a question mark.

Will Hamilton Be Up to Speed?

A broken leg is no small hurdle, but in Hamilton’s case, he’s fortunate that he broke the smaller of the two major leg bones – his fibula – rather than the larger tibia – a bone that requires significantly more rehabilitation.

The recovery timeline for a broken fibula is typically four-to-eight weeks, depending on the severity of the fracture. In Hamilton’s case, he was able to spend more time off the ice because of the cancellation of the season.

“He was one of the most valuable players in the league in my opinion.”

Rod Brind’Amour talked about what Dougie Hamilton meant to the @Canes this season before his injury. #NHLonSN

Join on YouTube: https://t.co/0RdwQh412C

Join on Facebook: https://t.co/En0X7a3fKz pic.twitter.com/xB63GKJ1jP

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 19, 2020

Two players of interest who recently came back from broken fibulas are Jason Zucker and Mika Zibanejad. Zucker only missed four weeks before returning to play in January of 2020. After later being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline, Zucker took flight, scoring 12 points in his final 15 games.

As for Zibanejad, he suffered a broken fibula in 2016, but that seems like a minor setback now, as he’s evolved into one of the league’s top centers.

With all the added rest, including the brief offseason, there should be no concerns about Hamilton’s ability to play to his full potential. Having only dressed for five games since mid-January, however, it may be difficult to get back up to the blazing pace of the NHL.

Living Up to Heightened Expectations

Hamilton tallied 18 goals and 39 points in 82 games in 2018-19, his first season with the Hurricanes, but he was on pace to shatter those marks last season before his injury.

At the time of his injury, Hamilton ranked second among NHL defensemen in goals (14), fourth in points (40) and second in plus-minus (plus-30) in just 47 games.

He had also developed exceptional chemistry with defense partner Jaccob Slavin. Together, they posted a sparkling 57.56 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) – the third-highest among defense duos that logged over 500 minutes of TOI. That’s where he’s positioned to start this season, as well as quarterbacking the top power-play unit, where he scored 12 of his 40 points in 2019-20.

Doooogie was smooooth here pic.twitter.com/YqtsGoO3UH

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 8, 2021

Even if his skating isn’t quite up to speed, there’s no denying his offensive abilities. Hamilton is typically among league leaders for defensemen in shots and goals. His wicked snap shot and booming one-timers pose a constant threat, even at 5-on-5.

It may take a few games for Hamilton to find his legs, but there should be no concerns around his ability to perform. While the status of his contract looms, Hamilton’s focus remains on bringing his best to the Hurricanes as they attempt to improve upon back-to-back playoff appearances.


Sign up for our regular 'Hurricanes Newsletter' for all the latest.

  • Tags
  • Dougie Hamilton
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 18th 5:55 PM
Other Leagues

Ducks Will Benefit From Gulls’ Temporary Relocation to Irvine

Jan 18th 5:45 PM
Minnesota Wild

Wild Weekly: A Pair Of Comeback Wins Against The Kings

Jan 18th 5:10 PM
Column

Canucks News & Rumors: Edler, Hughes, Miller, Benn & Höglander

Jan 18th 4:35 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues Need Hoffman on Top Power Play Unit

Jan 18th 3:55 PM
Other Leagues

Windsor Spitfires’ 2010 Grubauer Trade Cemented OHL Dynasty

Jan 18th 3:45 PM
Archives

The Strangest Superstitions in NHL History

Jan 18th 3:35 PM
Florida Panthers

Newest Panthers Make Their Mark in the Season Opener

Jan 18th 3:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Robertson, Caufield, Clarke & Harrison

Jan 18th 3:10 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers News & Rumors: Yamamoto, Kahun, Bear, Goalie News, More

Jan 18th 3:00 PM
Column

Flyers Who’s Hot & Who’s Not: Konecny, Hart, Voracek & More

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information