Boston Bruins rumors: Why now is time to sign Mike Hoffman

Feb 22, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Mike Hoffman (68) looks on during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Mike Hoffman (68) looks on during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL season is approaching and Mike Hoffman still isn’t signed. It’s time for the Boston Bruins to make a splash and sign him.

One of the biggest stories this NHL offseason has been Mike Hoffman. He somehow has yet to be signed and he continues to get linked to the Boston Bruins.

It’s stunning that Hoffman hasn’t been signed. He is still a great goal scorer which is definitley something that the Bruins need.

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Last season Hoffman scored 29 goals and 30 assists for the Florida Panthers. He would have been a top goal scorer on Boston’s roster.

The Bruins first line is all set. David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand will continue to be the best line in the NHL. The problem is what comes after that.

Boston doesn’t exactly have great depth when it comes to scoring. Marchand and Pastrnak do the majority of the work there. David Krejci is still looking for his perfect partner on the wing and Jake DeBrusk can just be too streaky at times.

Adding Hoffman just seems to be a perfect move for both sides. Hoffman would get a chance to show his value and maybe even win a Stanley Cup. Boston would get a bonafide goal scorer who would be the perfect partner for Krejci.

Also, the Bruins will likely be without Marchand and Pastrnak to start the season. If they want to minimize the impact of their absence, signing Hoffman is a no brainer.

Then when the team is healthy you could put either Hoffman or DeBrusk on the third line (the only other option would be playing one of them out of position and demoting Ondrej Kase). That would make all three lines a legitimate scoring threat.

Now the team might have had their reservations when it came to signing Hoffman. It wouldn’t have been surprising to see Hoffman search for one last payday. He is still a quality goal scorer.

But now the Bruins have all the power. With how long Hoffman has been on the market, he doesn’t have any bargaining power. If he wants to play this season he will need to take a pay cut and that makes it much easier for the Bruins to possibly sign him before the 2021 season.

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So this is the perfect time for the Boston Bruins to sign Hoffman. If they don’t sign him it’s likely that he doesn’t play at all.