Dougie Hamilton
ON-ICE VALUE
First-Pairing Defenseman
STRENGTHS
Shot: Hamilton is the most active shooter among all defensemen in the NHL. Better yet, he’s a smart shooter. While he can unleash vicious one-timers and wristers, he knows when to take some heat off his bids in order to ensure they get through traffic. His willingness to pull the trigger from virtually anywhere tilts the ice in his team’s favor.
Offensive IQ: His play from the point is superb, but he also displays good timing when he slides lower in the formation to present his teammates with slot targets. His ability to not only move along the blue but also into the heart of the action makes him a nightmare to keep track of. He’s a strong passer as well.
Size: Though he isn’t most bruising player around, he remains a physical specimen at 6’6” and 229 pounds. Given his level of activity on the offensive end, it’s very difficult to contain him if he gets even a half-step on you. He combines his long reach and large build with decent wheels too.
WEAKNESSES
Defense: He isn’t particularly sharp in his end, often wandering out of position and leaving the net-front area unattended. Also, he doesn’t enjoy the physical side of things. If opponents target him in chip-and-chase scenarios, he’ll eventually grow wary of retrieving the puck and simply concede possession.
Discipline: Whether it’s out of laziness or anger, Hamilton takes bad penalties. He looks for shortcuts defensively and is no stranger to stick infractions. When teams insist on grinding him into the ice, he’ll get goaded into retaliating.
