To say the San Jose Sharks are exterior of the playoff race could be an enormous understatement. San Jose has merely had a horrific season this 12 months. From their traditionally putrid begin till now, this has been a tough one for San Jose. They’re prone to be sellers on the NHL Commerce Deadline. And ahead Mike Hoffman represents an attention-grabbing commerce candidate.
Hoffman joined the Sharks in the summertime as a part of the Erik Karlsson commerce. Up to now, he has been advantageous, however not a world-beater by any means. The veteran ahead has scored 18 factors by 49 video games getting into play on Monday. He’s not a top-six participant, however Hoffman can positively present secondary scoring on a greater crew.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out just a few groups that would use his companies. Listed here are three potential touchdown spots for Sharks ahead Mike Hoffman forward of the 2024 NHL Commerce Deadline in March.
Predators may use scoring depth
The Nashville Predators need to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, however it actually will not be straightforward. They’re considered one of 4 groups who’re in one of the best place to say one of many two Western Convention wild card spots. Nashville is tied on factors with the St. Louis Blues, who personal the ultimate wild card spot within the West.
One space the Predators may stand to enhance is their secondary scoring. They possess an incredible prime line consisting of Gustav Nyquist, Ryan O’Reilly, and Filip Forsberg. Nevertheless, if these gamers do not present up, Nashville can simply fall behind and lose video games.
Including Mike Hoffman may give them a secondary possibility that would profit from taking part in on a greater crew. Moreover, the Predators have cap area, which means the Sharks could not must retain as a lot wage. All in all, it is a match to keep watch over.
Oilers may very well be an possibility
The Edmonton Oilers are zeroing in on NHL historical past. And that is spectacular given the place they had been at first of the 2023-24 season. Edmonton’s unimaginable profitable streak actually may spark normal supervisor Ken Holland to make a transfer forward of the NHL Commerce Deadline. And so they may have an curiosity within the Sharks ahead.
The Oilers added Connor Brown to their ranks in the summertime. Nevertheless, he has not lived as much as the expectations the crew had for him. Moreover, veteran ahead Evander Kane has struggled as of late. This provides Edmonton room so as to add a participant to their middle-six.
Mike Hoffman may slot into Edmonton’s middle-six and provides it a spark. The principle impediment right here is the Oilers’ lack of wage cap area. That mentioned, if Edmonton could make one thing work with the Sharks, this may very well be a wise transfer for Holland to make.
Panthers, Sharks may strike one other deal
The Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks are not any strangers to creating trades. The truth is, they struck a deal over the summer time. San Jose acquired ahead Anthony Duclair as Florida sought to clear a little bit of wage cap area. Maybe we see these two groups hyperlink up as soon as once more on the NHL Commerce Deadline.
The Panthers haven’t any obvious holes as of now. Celebrity Matthew Tkachuk has figured issues out after a bizarre begin to the season. And Florida has merely discovered themselves taking part in at a excessive stage in most elements of the sport. That mentioned, including depth actually cannot damage.
Hoffman really performed two seasons with the Panthers. And that point was profitable, scoring 69 targets and 129 factors in 151 video games with Florida. Maybe a return to Florida may enable Mike Hoffman to recapture a few of that earlier type down the stretch this season.
