The Devils have caught the biggest fish in free agency.
New Jersey signed superstar defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a seven-year, $63 million contract when the market opened Wednesday at noon, according to TSN.
Hamilton was considered the top free agent due to his combination of 6-foot-6, 229-pound frame and two-way talent on the backend.
He had 10 goals and 32 assists in 55 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season and immediately becomes the Devils’ best defenseman. Hamilton leads all NHL defensemen with 59 goals over the last four years.
New Jersey was looking to make a splash this offseason, having made the playoffs only twice in the last decade.
The 28-year-old Hamilton joins a young core of first-overall picks Jack Hughes (2019) and Nico Hischier (2017), along with defenseman Ty Smith and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood.
The Post’s Larry Brooks reported the Devils recruited Hamilton – and other free agents – by sending out an email to agents highlighting the perks of playing in New Jersey with the Devils. It worked, as Hamilton will be the anchor of the blueline for likely the next half-decade plus.