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Florida Panthers: Why it doesn’t make sense to acquire Mike Hoffman

By Daniel Janicas

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 09: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Mike Hoffman (68) skates the puck around the net during third period National Hockey League action between the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators on January 9, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 09: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Mike Hoffman (68) skates the puck around the net during third period National Hockey League action between the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators on January 9, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Florida Panthers have been rumored to pursue scoring winger Mike Hoffman, as the Senators look to unload him. Although, does acquiring his services really make sense?

To answer the initial question above, it doesn’t. Mike Hoffman, who is currently 28-years-old, turning 29 in November, has three years left on his four-year contract. While his cap hit of $5.18M remains team friendly, it’s his age that will be a concern in the future.

Starting on why I wouldn’t acquire Hoffman, I begin with his age. As mentioned above, Mike is 28 going on 29 very soon. He’s currently playing in what is called his ‘prime,’ with little to offer for the future. For a team like Florida who continue to preach ‘for the future,’ Mike Hoffman certainly wouldn’t be your guy, if that’s the case.

There’s also his contract that must be factored in, with his current deal set to expire in three years time. If the Panthers believe that they can lock up Hoffman cheap after his current deal, they’re only fooling themselves. Mike will certainly ask for a pay raise (in the field of $6-7M) based on his current production.

If that’s the case, Mike is only adding on a bad deal to Florida’s books’, while taking up a valuable top 6 roster spot, that could be given to the likes of Henrik Borgstrom and Owen Tippett. Speaking of those two, wouldn’t it be wise to give our young guns the chance to shine next to Trocheck, instead of acquiring a rental for 2-3 years? Answer: absolutely!

With Tallon continuously pushing for this team to build young around our core, it’s important that players like Borgstrom and Tippett get integrated into the team quickly, finding their feet in a role that is best suitable for them individually.

With Hoffman sliding into the 2nd line LW spot, that’ll only hinder our young guys from growing. The Panthers shouldn’t make a trade just to say that they ‘made a trade,’ but instead, should be making deals that will benefit both our present and future. Hoffman certainly won’t benefit our future, and who’s to say that he’ll even benefit our present, right?

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In order to make that claim, we first have to look at his current production, while hypothetically comparing it to what he could bring down here in Sunrise. In his last three seasons, Mike has recorded 26, 29, and 27 goals respectively, in that order.

Keep in mind who he tallied those goals with: the Ottawa Senators. As we all know, the Sens are heavily led by the influence of Erik Karlsson’s play. Take him away from the equation, and you got yourself a really mediocre team, at best.

With the Sens being thin upfront, a guy like Mike Hoffman is often called upon to do the heavy lifting. What do I mean by that? I mean that he’s essentially their #1-2 guy, scoring a good chunk of their goals.

Now lets flip sides! Picture Hoffman on the Panthers, and envision what role he would take on offensively. Well, he certainly wouldn’t be our first or second scoring option, as Barkov and Huberdeau remain locks on those spots.

How about three or four? Think about Trocheck and Dadonov, who are both better players than Hoffman, would undoubtedly lose their spots at three and four. So where does that leave Mike Hoffman then?

At best, it’ll leave Mike at the fifth spot, assuming that he surpasses Bjugstad on the scoring chart. But lets give Hoffman the benefit of the doubt and suppose that he leap-frogs over big Nick. With that being the case, does Mike Hoffman score in the 26-29 goal range?

My answer: absolutely not! With Barkov, Huberdeau, Trocheck, and Dadonov all commanding more ice time and more touches of the puck, Hoffman won’t nearly get enough touches to score. Considering the role he would take on down here, he’d likely strike in the range of 15-20 goals at best.

See what two different teams can do to a decent player? Ottawa, who are average offensively, offer a bigger role for Hoffman upfront, relying heavily on his scoring presence. Florida on the other hand have four, maybe five guys (if you count Bjugstad) who will all receive more touches of the puck, thus forcing Mike down the pecking order.

Next: How Nick Bjugstad is improving Florida’s first line

Overall, while Mike Hoffman is a decent player, he’s not an individual who can bring you to the playoffs singlehandedly. At his age, his services should be acquired by a cup contender looking to add another top 6 winger. Not a team building for the future. For the Panthers sake, it’s best if they would pass up on him, leaving the position open for our younger guys in the system. 

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