An expert has just predicted the exact moment when Mike Hoffman will leave the Habs to join another team

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Julien Trekker
February 26, 2023 (2:57 PM)

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Since joining the Canadiens, it's safe to say that Mike Hoffman hasn't exactly set the world on fire. Will he find a taker before the trade deadline?

That's the question on everyone's mind.

Signed as a free agent in the summer of 2021, the Ontario forward had previously had good seasons with the Senators, Panthers, and Blues, but let's just say it's been a bit more difficult with the Canadiens for Hoffman, and many fans of the team have criticized him for his lack of enthusiasm and involvement.

However, number 68 has had a bit of a resurgence in the last few weeks, and some hockey fans would like Kent Hughes to take advantage of this hot streak to unload Hoffman's generous contract onto another NHL team.

But to make a deal, a general manager has to find an interested dance partner, which doesn't seem to be the case right now with the CH forward.

With another year left on his contract at $4.5 million per season, Hughes would practically have to add draft picks to get a team to insert Hoffman into their lineup.

Some experts had proposed a contract buyout as a solution, but as Keven Mawn of Fanadiens.com reports, a former NHL defenseman has a simple solution for Mike Hoffman.

During the broadcast of L'Antichambre last Thursday, Denis Gauthier proposed that the Canadiens organization keep Hoffman's services until the end of his contract in the summer of 2024.

"Don't waste your time trying to spend to get rid of certain players. His contract is expiring anyway. I'll live with it, he'll score us 15 to 20 goals.

The Canadiens are not in a position to trade draft picks to get rid of a contract like Hoffman's!"

The former defenseman may be right, because despite everything, Hoffman brings some offense to the Canadiens and let's say that with the numerous injuries since the beginning of the season, his presence is not necessarily detrimental to the organization.

This means that Martin St-Louis will have to deal with the presence of number 68 on his team until the end of his contract in 2024, and since he will be looking for a new contract next year, he could give a little more, and who knows, have his best season in Montreal.

Let's cross our fingers, but everything indicates that the date when the CH will be rid of Mike Hoffman's contract (on their salary cap) will probably just be the date of the end of his contract.