The Hamilton Show Comes to Jersey | FEATURE

Ok, so the lede is a bit dramatic. Let's roll with it though, because New Jersey's acquisition of this year's top free agency prize brings an incredible level of excitement to a ravenous fanbase in search of a competitor. He is the biggest free agent signing in Devils team history.
Does Hamilton, 28, guarantee the Devils a Stanley Cup, or even a playoff spot? No. But it moves the chess piece closer to the win.
You'd find little argument around the hockey world that Hamilton is one of the best offensive defensemen in the game, which was confirmed in dollars and cents when the Devils agreed to terms with Hamilton on a seven-year deal, worth $63 million, on the opening day of free agency. The Devils got their game changer, a veteran pillar to help stabilize their defense and provide support and leadership to their roster full of talented youngsters.
"We felt he is a player who would not only impact our team now, but (in the long term) when we're at the level we want to be, once we hit that Championship run," said Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald.
"Young, dynamic talent," Hamilton said of the Devils. "I've seen these guys; I've played against a lot of them. They're tough to play against. Fast, skilled, dynamic. I feel like I can fit in with them well that way and be a leader on that team and help out, help the young guys. They'll push me to be better as well. Just looking at the team, there are a lot of really good pieces. Excited to be a part of that and looking forward to taking the next steps with them."
On the other side of the business transaction, Hamilton got clarity on his future and security for the foreseeable future.
"Definitely spent a lot of time thinking about it and trying to figure it out," Hamilton said. "Obviously, it's a big thing in life. It's where I'm going to be spending a lot of time moving forward. I spent a lot of time thinking about it and it's definitely a relief to be done and be able to focus on New Jersey now and have direction where I'm going. Definitely very excited. It's been a great couple of days, I'm really happy."

Hamilton is the right fit for the Devils at the right time. They had the cap space to weaponize, while free agents like him don't always hit the market.
Hamilton compiled 18 power-play points last season with Carolina, while the Devils leading man-advantage point-getter on the backend was Ty Smith with seven. Hamilton can quarterback your power play while eating minutes on the top pair. The Devils will be ecstatic to deploy their new weapon in the hopes he helps rapidly improve their special teams, which struggled last season.
"I love it, to be honest. Everything about it," Hamilton said of quarterbacking the power play. "It's a fun challenge being out there with so many skilled players when the other team is trying to shut you down and stop you, and you're trying to score and find different ways to score. It's a little bit of a chess match. It's a lot of fun and hopefully, I can bring some of that to New Jersey."
But even more than the stat sheet, Hamilton's impact will be felt throughout New Jersey's locker room.
"I got traded to Carolina a couple of years ago and they were kind of in a similar boat where they were on the rise with a lot of young guys and I was able to be a part of that and help the growth of their team," said Hamilton, who helped the Hurricanes snap a nine-year postseason drought with three playoff appearances in his three seasons in Carolina. "When I look at New Jersey, it's a team that has so many young, talented players. I am so excited to play with them. I can help them and I'm sure they can help me as well."
Hamilton has a hunger to help the Devils, but also a hunger to prove himself. You wouldn't think a player of Hamilton's caliber would have any more proving to do, especially after cashing in during free agency like he did. But Hamilton's biggest critic is himself.
"Every day I'm thinking about ways to get better," he said. "I'm never really satisfied with my game and where I'm at. I'm always trying to improve."
That kind of self-awareness and desire to continue to develop his game is something that should rub off on the young players around the room in
Newark
. Beyond his personal goals and aspirations, his dream of helping lead the Devils to a Stanley Cup should also permeate through the roster.
"That's the dream, to raise the Stanley Cup," he said. "That's why we play. It's been my dream ever since I starting playing and watching hockey. Hopefully, we can do it in New Jersey. Build up over the next couple of years and see where we can take it. I'm excited to be a part of this team, the growth of this team, and this franchise. It's an exciting time to be a Devil and a Devils fans. Proud to be a part of it now."
Fitzgerald and the Devils front office still have work to do to get to that point, but Hamilton was a major piece of their plan.
One thing the organization and its fans are in near-universal agreement about is it will be an invigorating experience to hear Hamilton's name belted out with the lights flashing and sirens blaring in Prudential Center on Oct. 15, when they open the season against Chicago.
A different Hamilton is playing in Jersey. Get your tickets now.