Detroit Red Wings: 6 Free Agent forwards to strongly consider signing
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Red Wings need to consider signing free agent Mike Hoffman.
Mike Hoffman is one of the better pure-scoring wingers set to hit the open market. Hoffman signed a personal try-out last year with the St. Louis Blues and finished third on the team in scoring with 17 goals and totaled 36 points.
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The Detroit Red Wings lack scoring depth, and they need to find a way to kick their power play into a gear, any gear, as it’s been stuck in neutral for quite some time.
Hoffman playing alongside Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi, followed by a line such as Robby Fabbri, Jakub Vrana, and Filip Zadina, would be a significant upgrade to what we’ve seen over the past few years.
Hoffman earned just $4 million last year and admitted to taking a discount to join a team where he felt he’d be a good fit. Although the Detroit Red Wings are not exactly a destination right now, players are well aware that Yzerman is currently in the front office. With his extraordinary track, record players may start flocking to Motown again.
Hoffman has only failed to score less than 25-goals once over the previous six full NHL schedules. That came in 2017-18 with the Senators when Hoffman scored 22, totaling 56 points in 82 games. Last season with the Blues, Hoffman had been on pace to score almost 27 goals had it been a full season.
David Pagnotta reports that Hoffman is seeking more than $5 million per season on a multi-year deal.
Unless there’s a last min change, Mike Hoffman plans on fielding offers once the FA market opens Wednesday. I believe he’s turned down one offer from STL and will see what his options are. Wants multi-year and north of $5M per season.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 26, 2021
Hoffman turns 32-years old this November, so the term multi-year becomes critical.
I’d be comfortable giving Hoffman anywhere between $5-$6 million per season on a three-year deal. Three years puts Hoffman at 35, and maybe there is not much of a decline yet.
Plus, the Red Wings have plenty of cap space, and this shouldn’t be considered as foolish spending. I would not feel comfortable with anything more than a three-year term.
Next. 3 bad contracts worth adding to enhance draft capital. dark
Similar players to consider; Gabriel Landeskog, Blake Coleman, David Krejci.