Hoffman reportedly being low-balled by multiple teams

With forward Mike Hoffman still an unrestricted free agent through the first three weeks of free agency, plenty of questions have been asked as to why. It was the belief of many that Hoffman was waiting on Taylor Hall to find a new home and set the market for scoring wingers prior to signing his contract, but here we are at the end of October, with Hall already having signed with the Sabres and Hoffman still in need of a home for 2020-21.

So why, then, have we yet to hear of a new deal for Hoffman? He has been one of the more consistent scoring wingers over his career, averaging almost 30 goals per season over his career, and leads the 2020 free agent class in goals. Something is certainly amiss here.

Well, thanks to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, we may have our answer. According to LeBrun, Hoffman has received offers from multiple teams around the league, adding that those deals have all been "bargain city", meaning teams who are poking around Hoffman's camp are doing so looking for a massive steal.

Whether the 30-year-old agrees to take far less than he's worth to find himself in a favourable location that would provide him the opportunity to compete for a Stanley Cup remains to be seen, but with 359 points in 493 career NHL games, Hoffman has made a very compelling argument that he is worth more than the $5.187M he earned in 2019-20. How much he ultimately gets, however, depends on how hard-up teams are, due to the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoffman recorded 29 goals and 59 points in 69 games for the Florida Panthers last season. He was drafted in the 5th round (130th overall) by the Ottawa Senators in 2009.

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