Taylor Hall’s recent one-year, $8MM deal with Buffalo is something that many top free agents wouldn’t typically do. While the potential for more money year over year is there by going that route, many prefer the security that a long-term pact provides. However, the current marketplace has made the value of a long-term contract go down so some players may be more inclined to follow Hall’s path. Among those is Mike Hoffman as TSN’s Frank Seravalli reports in the latest Insider Trading segment (video link) that the winger is open to taking a one-year deal but is holding firm at his salary range between $5.5MM and $6.5MM.
The 30-year-old has been one of the stronger goal scorers around the league since becoming a full-time NHL player in 2014-15. Since then, he has 169 tallies which ties him for the 16th most league-wide in that span. Hoffman is coming off of a particularly productive season that saw him put up the best point per game average of his career at 0.86 with 29 goals and 30 assists in 69 games. He has also been among the best at scoring with the man advantage, notching 28 goals in that situation in his two seasons with Florida which helped him land the number four spot on our Top 50 UFA list.
Seravalli notes that at that price point and term, the Bruins, Blue Jackets, and the Predators are among the teams showing the most interest in Hoffman’s services. He added that the Canucks are looking for help on the wing and also have shown some interest in the veteran but that they would have to clear some cap space first to do so; he also pegs the Canadiens as a team in that situation but after their addition of Tyler Toffoli yesterday, the fit with them may not be as strong as it previously was.
Now that Hoffman is willing to accept a one-year deal and try his hand at free agency again next season, it’s also possible that doing so will increase the number of suitors. But it appears that he won’t be coming close to landing a pay raise and some long-term job security which is a reality that quite a few remaining free agents are now facing.
Somebody should be willing to dish that out if it’s only one year. I thought he was the biggest candidate for worst contract of the offseason but if you’re able to bring him in on a short deal there’s no risk at all.
I’d love to see him in a Ducks sweater. Although we still need a Goalie, and only have about 5.8 Million to work with.
The B’s need to jump all over this even with the guys baggage
Their a yr or 2 away from a full rebuild so they need to go all out
Especially if Pasta and Marchand will be out for an extended period to start the season
I agree he would be a great pickup for the Bruins and him +Smith are better for this team than Hall as depth is there issue not quality
Especially on a 1 year deal since if his off ice issues pop up they’re not stuck with him. Huge reward for minimal risk and should allow them to extend Gryz and Debrusk.
What off ice issues does he have?
His fiance is a mean girl.
@backhandinbaptist – If you care to spend the few minutes before the old soup hits a low boil on the stove, you can DuckDuckGo this: “mike hoffman + otttawa + controversy”. I don’t know if everybody thinks he has “reformed”, assuming he is guilty of the accusations against him. It was pretty stinky for a little while…
I’m not too concerned about the issues, you just always have to worry about locker room chemistry. It might have just been an Ottawa problem since he obviously got plenty of suitors. B’s locker room has so many stand up guys I can’t imagine there’d be any issues but a one year prove it deal is incredibly appealing.
@macjab yikes. she sounds really sweet. Hopefully mike left her in Florida.
a.k.a. sociopath
@backhandinbaptist – The only question unanswered is “Did he make it look like an accident or an on-purpose?” ;)
Someone explain to me why they think free agents will be getting more money next year.
The league and PA agreed to use the $81.5 million figure for the next three years, right? So the cap is not going up next year. Or the year after.
Will revenues be higher? They actually played the majority of last season with full attendance, missing only the last 6 weeks. They did lose playoff attendance, no doubt, but managed to preserve the TV money.
Will the majority of next season be played with full attendance? Almost no chance. They will either start the season with few (if any) fans or else they will play a shortened season. The Olympics provide a hard end date for the season. The teams in states more likely to allow more fans also draw the least anyway.
The reality is the pinch the owners are feeling now is mostly theoretical and forward looking. Next year, it will be real.
30 year old free agents should be doing what Markstrom and Toffoli did, getting the most money over the longest term even if it’s not the deal they’d hoped for.
@forwhomjoshbelltolls – Sounds like you’re screaming the same thing at A-Stew on HC on a daily basis. I can’t believe he stupidly believes there’s a secret NHL money tree to pay players! Not…for…years…
I would like to see him in a Flames Jersey, We never score on the powerplay, We’ve had the same 3 guys for 2 yrs, Imagine if You’re team scores 1 or 2 powerplay goals a game, How many extra wins in a season that would come to. Try him for a season.
As an oilers fan, I do not want to see him in a Flames jersey especially since we have the same “dynamic” duo as last year. Here’s to Koskinen’s late bloom!
Jeremy Jacobs is NOT spending that money with a reduced income as a result of the pandemic.
Would be a great fit for the AVS. Isles too but I doubt there’s a fit there cap wise.
i agree with you on the Isles, but why wouldnt the Sabres been better off signing two players like Hoffman and Dadonov to make the team stronger and competitive all around than Hall?