How good is Mike Hoffman?

Xamar*

Guest
He's ok. Would be a better goal scorer if he played with an elite centre but I guess you could say that about any NHL winger.
 

Erik Alfredsson

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Jan 14, 2012
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My limited view notes on Hoffman...

Mike Hoffman (LW/C) - Sparky offensive forward. A little sparkplug who has a lot of jump and enthusiasm. Has a neat offensive toolset that includes some nifty hands, a good selection of high-caliber shots and the ability to play the point on the power play. He has quick strides and can generate a good amount of speed. He is knocked off the puck and pushed to the perimeter far too easily to be a long-term NHL success as it stands currently. He doesn't possess enough gumption to play on the bottom two lines and be a positive factor unless he is dressing as a power play specialist with limited ES ice time.

Likely potential: Elite minor leaguer/Quadruple-A player, the factor that holds him back: size/strength.
Highest ceiling: Weak second line, offensive winger.

Tell me how the hell his potential is an elite minor player, when he already excelling in the NHL in his first year?
 

Karlsson2Turris*

Guest
He's the most entertaining forward on our team (Not saying much, but still :laugh:). Fun to watch and has tons of confidence to try dangles all the time.
 

GerbeSonOfGloin

Registered User
May 27, 2011
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0
If I went to a place like Circuit City and asked to speak to the floor manager, I'd expect him to have a name like Mike Hoffman.

But yeah, he's good from what I've seen him, which is so far only postgame highlights.
 

OldCraig71

Registered User
Feb 2, 2009
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No one cares
He looked good to me in last nights game, problem is he is just hitting his stride at 25 which although not old is certainly late for a forward to become an nhl regular.
 

Michael Farkas

Grace Personified
Jun 28, 2006
13,350
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NYC
www.HockeyProspect.com
My guess is because he wrote those notes a while back.

Yeah, not that anyone should be sold on a player who has 60 some NHL games at the age of 25 (I know it's not common policy to step out of the moment and look at things from a broader standpoint)...there's guys on teams like this where opportunities are given and someone has to score, so sometimes the stats can be misleading...not speaking of Hoffman specifically, but sometimes these things happen...there's a ton of examples obviously...

And yes, those notes were largely compiled in March or April of 2014 based on what was compiled around then player-wise. So, I'll give him another strong look, as apparently he has really turned the corner. I've seen Ottawa a few times this year of course, but he didn't standout any more than he did for me in the past, but he also wasn't my primary focus...
 

Micklebot

Moderator
Apr 27, 2010
53,120
30,339
Yeah, not that anyone should be sold on a player who has 60 some NHL games at the age of 25 (I know it's not common policy to step out of the moment and look at things from a broader standpoint)...there's guys on teams like this where opportunities are given and someone has to score, so sometimes the stats can be misleading...not speaking of Hoffman specifically, but sometimes these things happen...there's a ton of examples obviously...

And yes, those notes were largely compiled in March or April of 2014 based on what was compiled around then player-wise. So, I'll give him another strong look, as apparently he has really turned the corner. I've seen Ottawa a few times this year of course, but he didn't standout any more than he did for me in the past, but he also wasn't my primary focus...

Outside of his skating, nothing in my opinion stands out as exceptional, but he does have a very good shot, and can dangle a bit. He's really found some chemistry of late with Ryan and Zibanejad, but whether that last or not remains to be seen.

I think he's still catching guys unaware of his speed, but to me he's similar to early Raymond Mason.
 

Hale The Villain

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Apr 2, 2008
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He's been a late bloomer in every league he's played in. Kid was cut from his OHL team, just to go on and become the QMJHL MVP a couple years later. Three years after making the AHL he was again, one of, if not the best player in his league.

He's always had the tools to be a great scorer. Elite speed, great shot, slick hands etc... but it was generally thought his hockey sense would hold him back. It certainly hasn't held him back in the NHL so far; could be a heck of a player once he gets comfortable.
 

Savannah Skunk

Registered User
Nov 21, 2006
1,643
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Off the banana farm
My limited view notes on Hoffman...

Mike Hoffman (LW/C) - Sparky offensive forward. A little sparkplug who has a lot of jump and enthusiasm. Has a neat offensive toolset that includes some nifty hands, a good selection of high-caliber shots and the ability to play the point on the power play. He has quick strides and can generate a good amount of speed. He is knocked off the puck and pushed to the perimeter far too easily to be a long-term NHL success as it stands currently. He doesn't possess enough gumption to play on the bottom two lines and be a positive factor unless he is dressing as a power play specialist with limited ES ice time.

Likely potential: Elite minor leaguer/Quadruple-A player, the factor that holds him back: size/strength.
Highest ceiling: Weak second line, offensive winger.

Quite accurate. If he can develop his strength and learn to play harder and stronger on the puck, he has the 'capacity' to be very effective in the NHL, perhaps a la St. Louis.
 

Savannah Skunk

Registered User
Nov 21, 2006
1,643
36
Off the banana farm
Outside of his skating, nothing in my opinion stands out as exceptional, but he does have a very good shot, and can dangle a bit. He's really found some chemistry of late with Ryan and Zibanejad, but whether that last or not remains to be seen.

I think he's still catching guys unaware of his speed, but to me he's similar to early Raymond Mason.

Interesting comparison, I like Raymond.
 

SenzZen

RIP, GOAT
Jan 31, 2011
16,896
5,952
Ottawa
Great speed, great shot. Can really find the soft spots in the offensive zone, too.

Certainly no slam-dunk as to what the future holds for him, but I believe BM turned down offers for him in the past because he's excelled once he's found his legs at every level. Not the biggest guy, by any stretch- and I don't know that I'd throw the word "dangles" around too much with him, but he changes speed pretty well and that will allow him to beat guys with the puck.
 

Korpse

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Feb 5, 2010
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Yeah, not that anyone should be sold on a player who has 60 some NHL games at the age of 25 (I know it's not common policy to step out of the moment and look at things from a broader standpoint)...there's guys on teams like this where opportunities are given and someone has to score, so sometimes the stats can be misleading...not speaking of Hoffman specifically, but sometimes these things happen...there's a ton of examples obviously...

And yes, those notes were largely compiled in March or April of 2014 based on what was compiled around then player-wise. So, I'll give him another strong look, as apparently he has really turned the corner. I've seen Ottawa a few times this year of course, but he didn't standout any more than he did for me in the past, but he also wasn't my primary focus...

The CBJ game this year in Ottawa was a turning point in the season for him. I have a hard time believing that someone watched him after that point and didn't see him make an improvement. He is still adjusting and one thing he will have to work on is getting his shot off quicker as well as strength and Defense. He usually tries to drag it before he shoots and it usually results in it getting deflected out of play. I use to be a skeptic but he has made a good impression on me since that CBJ game.
 

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