The Hurricanes ranked second in the NHL (27.6 percent; 42-for-164) on the power play last season, when Hamilton led Carolina in ice time per game on the man-advantage (3:03). He also led Carolina defensemen in scoring in each of his three seasons after being acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames on June 23, 2018.
"I've been really impressed so far," coach Lindy Ruff said. "Watching him shoot the puck and get pucks through in a couple of those drills, where he shot them ... a foot off the ice, 18 inches off the ice, getting pucks through, how quick he got them through. That coupled with the fact he skates so well that I think he's really going to be an important piece for us."
Ruff said Hamilton graded out extremely well in the on-ice testing conducted Thursday.
"I was really impressed with 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."
The Devils (19-30-7) finished seventh in the eight-team MassMutual East Division last season, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third season in a row and eighth season in the past nine.
Hamilton scored 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 55 regular-season games for the Hurricanes last season and five points (two goals, three assists) in 11 playoff games. He leads NHL defensemen in goals (59) since 2017-18.
"He gives us great depth on the right side," general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "He gives us someone who can play big minutes and not tire. He can play in all areas of the game, can get us out of our own end, get us through the neutral zone and playing in the offensive end. I think our forwards are really going to enjoy playing with him."
Center Jack Hughes said, "For us to get Dougie ... he's giving us the prime of his career so it shows he believes in this group and thinks he can win here. He gives us a big-time defenseman. He's top five in the League and for us to have him, that could take us to another step."
Hamilton (6-foot-6, 230 pounds) has been paired with Ryan Graves during training camp. New Jersey acquired Graves on July 15 in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche for forward Mikhail Maltsev and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
"I don't know what the pairings will be to start the year, but if I do get to play with Dougie ... he's a big man that can move and think the game really well," Graves said. "I was fortunate enough to play with Cale Makar in Colorado, and you can kind of draw similarities.
"Sometimes Cale is explosive and can beat guys 1-on-1, whereas Dougie is smooth and thinks the game through, is just methodical in his approach. He's smart and in good position and he's sneaky quick. So if I can play with a player like that, it can only help."
Photo: Andrew Maclean/New Jersey Devils
