The Boston Bruins made one of the most surprising moves of the offseason back in June when they traded up-and-coming defensive star Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames for three draft picks. Was the deal sparked by the team’s refusal to acquire Hamilton’s brother?
Bruins president Cam Neely has openly stated that Boston was willing to meet Hamilton’s contract demands and pay him at least the same amount that Calgary gave him. According to a report from Damien Cox of SportsNet, Hamilton wanted out of Boston because the Bruins would not trade for his older brother.
The speculation is that among the issues Hamilton had with the Bruins was the fact he wanted them to acquire the rights to his brother, Freddie, and Boston either couldn’t or wouldn’t.
Dougie landed in Calgary at the draft, and this month the Flames acquired Freddie in a trade. GM Brad Treliving, when asked about the rumour, said the Flames actually tried to make a deal for Freddie at the March trade deadline, and said he’d never heard the rumour before.
Freddie Hamilton, who is a year older than Dougie, is a center who has appeared in 29 career games and scored just one goal. That would be quite the coincidence if the Flames just happened to be interested in him along with his brother, who was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Something didn’t make sense about Boston’s decision to trade Hamilton, especially if money wasn’t the issue. There has been some speculation that he didn’t get along with his teammates, and perhaps that and the issue with wanting to play alongside his older brother became a headache for the Bruins.
H/T CBS Boston
