Confirmed with Link: Habs sign Mike Hoffman (3 years, 4.5M AAV)

[dcyhabs]

Sometimes I wonder how accurate of a pulse Bergie has on readiness of his prospects. Last year in the bubble he mentioned that Romanov would be in the play-in lineup if he was permitted. Ten months later and after almost 60 games under his belt, he wasn't in the lineup throughout most of the playoffs.

There are a lot of questions around Norlinder's defensive play. It will be interesting to see him in training camp!

MB is optimistic about most things. Romanov was up and down but his D stats were not great in the playoffs. Norlinder had problems staying healthy and making an impact in the SHL last year, I'd be surprised if he's NHL ready this year, but who knows?

 

[MarkovsKnee]

He's definitely a PP specialist. His even strength offense is awful. His even strength defense is average.

 

[Habs4Life]

Hoffman scores 35+ this year if healthy book it!

 

[WickedPegJets]

Good signing if we ship out Drouin.

I wonder if any team inquired about trading for Drouin. Anyways, I thought Marc Bergevin did a superlative job signing all these free agents at or below market value. Bergey has turned out to be one of the best GMs out there. It was no wonder he was a runnerup to the 2021 GM of the Year Sweet Lou Lamarello.

 

[417]

I have more faith in Ducharme to play Hoffman to his strength than I would have with Julien. I mean at his age and what he's show, you'd have to be an idiot to try and convert him into a checking forward.

I think he'll likely be on the 3rd line or sheltered on the 2nd but get plenty of PP time with CC. Having those shooters on either side with Zuki and Petry on the point, Anderson and Gally front net with KK and Toffoli as the bumpers should give us plenty of success on the PP.

You also have to remember that Luke Richardson coached Mike Hoffman in the AHL and was his assistant coach in Ottawa.

So he knows as well as anyone in this organization what his skillset is.

 

[Sterling Archer]

You also have to remember that Luke Richardson coached Mike Hoffman in the AHL and was his assistant coach in Ottawa.

So he knows as well as anyone in this organization what his skillset is.

Good point.

 

[Saundies]

I'm never going to pan a signing that aims at getting us more offense. Our PP1 can look something like:

Armia
Caufield - Suzuki - Hoffman
Petry

Ideally I'd like Suzuki to QB from the point, but who's going to play C and take faceoffs at the moment for that to happen? That's why MB has to address the C situation.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Probably only because they limited themselves to playing 4D.

Right but Romanov wasn't dressing most games even though they were only playing 4 D.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

You also have to remember that Luke Richardson coached Mike Hoffman in the AHL and was his assistant coach in Ottawa.

So he knows as well as anyone in this organization what his skillset is.

Also Burrows was his teammate for a bit in Ottawa, so that'll be helpful in making him as impactful on the PP as possible.

 

[1909]

Gimme Bozak... Or any C capable of winning a faceooff. And I might look over how atrocious our D looks on first look.

our D will be just fine. Like it was during the last Playoffs.

 

[1909]

I wonder if any team inquired about trading for Drouin. Anyways, I thought Marc Bergevin did a superlative job signing all these free agents at or below market value. Bergey has turned out to be one of the best GMs out there. It was no wonder he was a runnerup to the 2021 GM of the Year Sweet Lou Lamarello.

Too bad he made a stupid mistake ny drafting Mailloux.

 

[All Star John Scott]

Too bad he made a stupid mistake ny drafting Mailloux.

Nope. Solid draft pick. PR is for squares.

 

[montreal]

MB is optimistic about most things. Romanov was up and down but his D stats were not great in the playoffs. Norlinder had problems staying healthy and making an impact in the SHL last year, I'd be surprised if he's NHL ready this year, but who knows?

staying healthy was a problem for him as his 2nd injury cost him his spot in the top 3, but he made a solid impact for sure, especially in the playoffs.

 

[dcyhabs]

Googled an article that suggested Hoffman's even strength offense had dropped to zero while his defense rose to average levels. He may not be much help off the power play. Reverse of Danault.

 

[Walrus26]

With Hoffman and CC 8n the lineup, I might stop expecting a guaranteed loss in 3v3 OT this season.

 

[salbutera]

Googled an article that suggested Hoffman's even strength offense had dropped to zero while his defense rose to average levels. He may not be much help off the power play. Reverse of Danault.

That’s ok for this team makeup right now, Lekhonen can substitute in as late period / late game option, or critical pirates of the game at 5-on-5. That’ll be on Dom Dom to manage

 

[Karma Police]

Remember the days we had no shooters?

Now we have 3 pure snipers in Hoffman, Toffoli and Caufield and some good shooters like Suzuki and Anderson

 

[salbutera]

Remember the days we had no shooters?

Now we have 3 pure snipers in Hoffman, Toffoli and Caufield and some good shooters like Suzuki and Anderson

Unfortunately for the first time in 20-yrs Habs don’t have a legit 20TOI+ #1 Dman for the regular season

 

[SpezNc2]

Remember the days we had no shooters?

Now we have 3 pure snipers in Hoffman, Toffoli and Caufield and some good shooters like Suzuki and Anderson

And then add Gallagher that will always have his share of goals.

 

[dcyhabs]

I wonder if any team inquired about trading for Drouin. Anyways, I thought Marc Bergevin did a superlative job signing all these free agents at or below market value. Bergey has turned out to be one of the best GMs out there. It was no wonder he was a runnerup to the 2021 GM of the Year Sweet Lou Lamarello.

I'd guess MB is hoping he has a hot start to this season and that he can get some other GM to take him. Probably be better for everyone. Drouin needs to move for his mental health and the team needs the cap space. If anyone had made a serious offer I expect he'd be gone already.

 

[dcyhabs]

And then add Gallagher that will always have his share of goals.

He didn't really, this past playoffs. Have to hope he's not done. He's played some tough hockey and he's still signed a long time.

 

[ahmedou]

Caufield/Suzuki/Hoffman

 

[MON4NHLTOR4MLB]

With Hoffman and CC 8n the lineup, I might stop expecting a guaranteed loss in 3v3 OT this season.

They’ll still go with Byron in the shootout over them, just watch

 

[SpezNc2]

He didn't really, this past playoffs. Have to hope he's not done. He's played some tough hockey and he's still signed a long time.

True. I suspect his hand was not fully healed. He had a temporary drop in goal production when he was first injured to the hand years ago. He will rebound. In the regular season, Gallagher has been a very consistent goal producer.

 

[Tyson]

True. I suspect his hand was not fully healed. He had a temporary drop in goal production when he was first injured to the end. He will rebound. In the regular season, Gallagher has been a very consistent goal producer.

Gallagher I sadly see becoming an Andrew Ladd contract. His body simply won't last another 6 NHL seasons