Devils' Hamilton likely done for season

Don't expect Dougie Hamilton to suit up for the New Jersey Devils before the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Devils interim head coach Travis Green said Saturday they "probably won't" see Hamilton return this season, according to team reporter Amanda Stein.

The 30-year-old defenseman had his campaign cut short on Nov. 28 when he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in a win over the New York Islanders. Hamilton underwent surgery a few days later, was deemed to be out indefinitely, and hasn't played since.

The Canadian blue-liner racked up 16 points, including five goals, in 20 games before getting hurt. He's coming off a campaign in which he established career highs in goals (22), assists (52), and points while playing all 82 contests.

Hamilton is in his third season with the Devils, who signed him to a seven-year, $63-million contract in July 2021. He's also played three campaigns apiece with the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, and Boston Bruins.

The Devils have underachieved in 2023-24, but Hamilton's absence has clearly contributed to their struggles. New Jersey has had to rely on rookies Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec to quarterback its power play, a circumstance that ex-head coach Lindy Ruff lamented in late February before the club fired him in early March.