Devils News

Devils Dougie Hamilton to Make Expedited Return from Injury, Who He’ll Pair With

Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton is returning from injury vs. the Red Wings, slotting into the lineup just before the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Published

1 month ago

April 16, 2025

James Nichols

New Jersey Devils' Dougie Hamilton celebrates after his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Newark, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEWARK—The New Jersey Devils are getting a huge boost on their blueline for the final regular season game of the 2024-25 regular season. Injured defenseman, Dougie Hamilton, is returning to the lineup for the first time since March 4th.

Hamilton suffered a lower-body injury against the Dallas Stars early in the month of March, and the initial outlook on the injury wasn’t good.

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald all but put an end to Hamilton’s season when he explained he thought it was a long-shot for the 31-year-old defenseman to even make a return in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

However, Dougie Hamilton‘s recovery trended more positively than anticipated. Now, he’ll get into game action just before the Devils hit the road to Raleigh, North Carolina for Game 1 of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“He’s worked hard. I’d say he was a little bit ahead of schedule, you know? I think he was at that six to eight weeks was sort of projected time period. He’s at the front end of that. So credit to him for the work that he’s put in,” Keefe explained on Wednesday ahead of the Devils’ tilt with the Red Wings.

“He’s excited to go. We had some conversations, whether it was maybe last night or today, and gave him the extra day and saved him the flights and all these kinds of things. So he’s excited today, and he’ll pair up with [Brenden] Dillon and the chance to get some reps in.”

Through 63 games this season, Hamilton potted nine goals and 40 points, collecting 15 of those points on the man advantage.

Keefe explained there will be a number of changes for Game No.82 of the regular season as the Devils prepare for their series against the Carolina Hurricanes ahead. Hamilton’s return to the lineup is certainly a welcomed one.

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