Oilers Release Veteran Mike Hoffman & Demote Top Prospect

The Edmonton Oilers brought in 13-year veteran and six-time 20-goal scorer Mike Hoffman on a professional tryout for camp, but he's now been released from those duties, bringing his PTO in Oil Country to an end.

The #Oilers have released forward Mike Hoffman from his professional tryout. pic.twitter.com/l0cS2xv9b1
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 30, 2024

In addition, the Oilers have trimmed their roster by cutting top prospect Matt Savoie and assigning him to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

As for Hoffman, the 34-year-old actually led the Oilers in pre-season points with four, on one goal and three assists, and was part of the power play in Saturday's night's exhibition game. But as a scoring forward it wasn't likely that he would find his way into Edmonton's top six.

His performance should at least earn him another tryout with another team.

Hoffman's goal totals have declined in each of the last five seasons, since scoring 36 with the Florida Panthers in 2018-19. Last year, he mustered up a mere 10 goals and 23 points in 66 games.

Savoie was the Oilers' big coup of the offseason, when they acquired the No. 9 overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in return for Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio. The 20-year-old Savoie immediately became the Oilers' No. 1 prospect, and last year led his junior team, the Moose Jaw Warriors to the WHL championship, by averaging over two points per game during the regular season (19 goals, 28 assists and 47 points in 23 games), and another 24 points in 19 playoff games.

He's got an exciting future ahead, though it won't begin in Edmonton when the puck drops on the NHL seasons on opening night.