Florida Panthers: Mike Hoffman is Having a Tremendous Second Half

Following a superb first season with the Florida Panthers in 2019, Mike Hoffman is experiencing yet another miraculous season for the Cats in 2020.

The 30-year-old winger was previously acquired from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for multiple draft picks during the 2019 offseason. Since joining the Florida Panthers, Mike Hoffman has produced at a highly effective and consistent rate, offensively speaking.

The native of Canada produced career-high marks during the 2019 campaign for the Cats. While participating in all 82 regular-season games, Hoffman would record a sensational slash line of 36 goals as well as 34 assists for a whopping 70 total points.

Moreover, Hoffman would prove to be a highly effective weapon on the top power-play unit for Florida. Essentially, 17 of Hoffman’s 36 goals last season were recorded on the man advantage, thus helping lead the Cats to the league’s second-best PP percentage across the entire NHL.

Despite the tremendous offensive production from Hoffman, the Panthers would miss the 2019 playoffs. Currently, the Cats are in the playoff picture with only 13 games remaining in the 2020 regular season, which can largely be attributed to the solid season from Mike Hoffman.

While taking part in all 68 regular-season games for the Cats, the former Ottawa Senator has registered a phenomenal slash line of 28 goals as well as 30 assists for 58 total points. Despite having inconsistent stretches throughout the course of the regular season, Hoffman has been on an absolute tear since the All-Star break for Florida.

The impending unrestricted free agent is making a strong case for the Florida Panthers to offer him a long-term contract extension following the conclusion of the season. If Hoffman continues to perform well and finishes the year with 70+ points, and helps lead the Panthers to the playoffs, then the Cats could be forced to retain Hoffman’s services for the foreseeable future.

Currently speaking, Hoffman has been one of Florida’s most dependable and productive forwards, alongside Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and Evgenii Dadonov. Hoffman has done a brilliant job in regard to power-play production, contributing a total of ten goals on the man advantage, thus far.

Hoffman has also found chemistry with fellow linemates Jonathan Huberdeau and newly acquired Erik Haula. The triple H line has the potential to be Florida’s best line and the main catalyst in their push to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2020.

In addition, Hoffman has also made major strides and demonstrated signs of improvement on the defensive end of the ice, as well. Last season, Hoffman recorded an absolutely abysmal -24 rating but has recorded a much improved plus/minus rating of only -4 during the 2020 campaign.

Furthermore, he’s also done a tremendous job in terms of reducing the overall number of turnovers he’s committed. Hoffman recorded a horrid 98 giveaways during the 2019 season but has only turned over the puck just 52 times in 68 games during the 2020 campaign.

Essentially, while the 2019 season was undoubtedly a memorable one for Hoffman, the 2020 campaign might be even better due to the fact that Hoffman has performed well in many more categories. Evidently, Hoffman has developed into a potent two-way sniper and has fit in perfectly with the Florida Panthers over the past two seasons.

Ultimately, the Panthers should do everything in their power to re-sign Hoffman for the foreseeable future once the season concludes. Also, Panthers fans can fully expect Hoffman to finish the year with yet another 70+ point campaign, which should hopefully lead the Panthers to the third seed in the Atlantic Division or a wild-card berth.