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NHL trade rumors: Florida Panthers shopping Mike Hoffman

By Dave Stevenson |
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 01: Mike Hoffman (68) of the Florida Panthers waits for play to begin during the second period of the NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens on February 1, 2020, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 01: during the third period of the NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens on February 1, 2020, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 01: Mike Hoffman (68) of the Florida Panthers waits for play to begin during the second period of the NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens on February 1, 2020, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 01: during the third period of the NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Montreal Canadiens on February 1, 2020, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Florida Panthers aren’t opposed to trading Mike Hoffman. It would, however, take a significant return to trade for him.

The Florida Panthers are currently fighting for a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Currently, they’re in third place, but the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t far behind. The Panthers are hoping to upgrade their blue line at the trade deadline, but there’s another move they’re thinking about. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Panthers are considering trading forward Mike Hoffman.

Hoffman will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. The Panthers were reportedly shopping him last year at the trade deadline as well.

So far this season, Hoffman has 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 53 games. He’s one goal away from having his sixth consecutive season with at least 20 goals and eight points away from his fifth straight season with at least 50 points.

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This report comes from Pierre LeBrun. “Some teams have shown interest in Mike Hoffman,” said LeBrun, via TSN. “I think [the Panthers] would listen to offers for Hoffman”.

LeBrun notes the Panthers aren’t just going to give him away. They’ll likely only trade him if they get a significant return, namely one that would help them fix their blueline issues.

It sounds like a hockey trade would be happening, rather than just a trade for draft picks and prospects. If that’s the case, perhaps a deal could be worked out with the Oilers and Panthers. The Oilers could offer Darnell Nurse, who has another year left on his deal, for Hoffman. That would solve a need for both clubs.

However, it’s not likely the Panthers will deal Hoffman. After all, they’re in the midst of a playoff race and Hoffman’s been quite good for them, even if he hasn’t been as good as he was last season, when he picked up a career-high 36 goals and 70 points.

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Still, it’s quite interesting that the Panthers are listening to offers for Hoffman. This tells me that they aren’t too confident they’ll be able to re-sign him after this season. The Panthers now must make a difficult decision. Should they hang on to Hoffman and risk losing him for nothing? Or should they trade him if it helps them improve their defense?

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