Hamilton Makes Good First Impressions | FEATURE

When you hook and reel in the biggest fish in free agency, you damn well hope they can swim.
Dougie Hamilton can swim.

"I think hockey practices are pretty standard," Hamilton said. "At the end of the day, you want to play games but practice is important and you try to get out there and get better and make everyone around you better and it was good today. I think we've got some scrimmages coming up soon and then we'll get into games and more practicing and stuff like that but it was a good first day and lots of positivity and accountability."
While Hamilton brushes off the impact or fanfare of his first day in Newark, his head coach did not mince words when addressing his new defensive pillar.
"I was really impressed (Thursday) with the amount of work he put into the skating tests how well he skated inside of that test," Ruff said. "Actually, I was probably more impressed with him than anybody when it came to a veteran player and what he did inside that test. And watching him shoot the puck and get pucks through today on a couple of drills where he shot them, a foot off the ice, 18 inches off the ice, getting pucks through, and how quick he got them through. And that coupled with the fact that he skates so well, I think he's really going to be an important piece for us."
On Friday, in particular, a connection between Devils rising star center Jack Hughes and Hamilton

. Hughes downplayed a single moment that lasted mere seconds on the first day of camp, but it was nice to see a flash of dazzle between the two.
"It's practice, so I'm not buying into that too much, but it should be pretty fun playing with him," Hughes said.
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"He can really shoot the puck," Hughes continued. "He's obviously a power play QB, so hopefully, he'll help our power play big time and make it a lot better."
There is little doubt that power play improvement is one of the biggest items on Hamilton's to-do list this season. Special teams were a pain point in New Jersey last year, but you can see the pieces of the puzzle starting to come together at camp.

"He sees the hole and he hits it," Ruff said. "I think that is one of his strengths, that he has that ability to get the puck through and create not only his own chance but second opportunities by rebound where you have guys in the right positions and you get the play off of the goaltender and get second opportunities."
It will take time for it all to mesh and for now, Hamilton is working to build some comfort in Jersey.
"I think we just introduced a little bit today so just trying to get our head around it a little bit and obviously we got a long camp so I'm sure by game one we'll have it all figured out," he said. "There was a lot to think about out there today so just trying to get comfortable, get in, and think about everything so I'm sure I'll get into the video room and try to figure it out a little more over the next couple days."
It is only the first day and while hopes are flying high outside of the Prudential Center walls because of players like Hamilton, inside the walls the message is taking things one day at a time. What helps Hamilton in that regard is his level-headed demeanor.
"I think he understands where we want to get to and he wants to be a big part of that," Ruff said. "I think he is the guy I really pictured that really keeps it an even keel. He's not going to get too high, is not going to get too low, and I think that's a great trait for a key player to have."
He speaks softly and he is the big fish.