The Florida Panthers have acquired forward Mike Hoffman and a 2018 7th round pick from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2019 2nd round pick, and a 4th and 5th round pick, both in 2018.
For the Panthers, their expansion draft blunders last year left them without two scoring wingers in Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith. Hoffman would definitely help them. They give up some picks, but none of them are big picks, except for next year\’s second.
Hoffman, 28, scored 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points in 82 games for the Sens this season. In his NHL career, all in Ottawa, Hoffman has scored 107 goals and 123 assists for 230 points in 342 games.
For the Sharks, Hoffman was acquired this morning from the Ottawa Senators. They traded Mikkel Boedker for him, freeing up $4 million in cap space. This gives them room to make a run for John Tavares in free agency. Even if it\’s not him, it\’s good to have the space to sign other players, or to use it for a trade. They got a better return from the Panthers then the Sens got from the Sharks, which is a plus. The picks could be valuable to them if they want to trade up. In all, it\’s a really good move for them.
I think this is an even trade. The Sharks get picks and free up cap space, and get a better deal than the Senators got. The Panthers get the winger they need. That\’s why it\’s an even trade.
CarterHud 