The Canadiens Have Landed Mike Hoffman On A 3-Year Deal

Continuing in their quest to collect every NHL player with a history of character issues, Montreal missed out on Tony DeAngelo but has managed to pick up 31-year old left-winger Mike Hoffman on a three-year deal worth $4.5 million AAV. Hoffman returns to Canada just a short distance from his former home in Ottawa, after a three-year tour through Florida and St. Louis.

Drafted 130th overall by Ottawa in 2009, Hoffman took a good 6 years before solidifying himself in the NHL, bouncing between the Sens and their AHL affiliate in the years leading up. However, once he cracked the lineup, Hoffman showed himself to be a top-tier goal scorer. Starting in 2014-2015, Hoffman has broken the 20-goal mark in every subsequent season and scored 36 in Florida two years ago, his career-high. Last season with the Blues Hoffman only managed 17 goals in 52 games, but given a full 82-game schedule there is little doubt he would have finished above 20 goals yet again. Hoffman earned $4 million on his 1-year deal in St. Louis, meaning Montreal sees enough game left in him to warrant giving him a raise.

Hoffman left Ottawa after unsettling rumors surfaced that Erik Karlsson's wife had filed for an order of protection, claiming a sustained campaign of online abuse against her throughout the 2017-2018 season perpetrated by Hoffman's girlfriend. This precipitated Hoffman's trade to Florida the following summer and is thought to have been a factor in Karlsson's departure from Ottawa. Given the commotion surrounding the player off the ice, it makes sense that the Habs would see a fit there. GM Marc Bergevin seems to have no issue bringing in players who have seen some controversy in their lives outside of hockey.

What do you think of Hoffman's 3-year deal with the Habs?

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