Nashville Predators Should Trade For Mike Hoffman

With the NHL Trade Deadline looming, it is time for the Nashville Predators to address their needs, which is why they should take a look at trading for Mike Hoffman

The Nashville Predators have been struggling to find point production from any of their wingers (outside of Filip Forsberg and Victor Arvidsson who both missed significant time with injury) this season, so the Nashville Predators should look to add depth at that position.

The perfect man to fit that role is currently playing in South Florida: and his name is Mike Hoffman. On a struggling Florida Panthers team, Hoffman managed to put up 21 goals, 19 assists and 40 points, totals that would put him in the team lead in both goals and points on the Preds.

Hoffman is the shooter the Predators power play needs, as Nashville is currently the sixth worst team in the entire league at converting with a man advantage, but the addition of Mike Hoffman could change that.

More from Editorials

Upon arrival to Florida this season, Hoffman had gained so much confidence with his shot and is having a career season, as he is on pace to break his career highs in both goals and points at the age of 29.

The real question here is: Why would Florida trade Mike Hoffman and what would they ask for in return?

For the first question, the answer is simple: the Panthers are struggling, after going 0-4-2 to start the calendar year of 2019, the cats find themselves 11 points out of a playoff spot, which could potentially lead them to become sellers at the deadline.

Hoffman’s contract is also up after the 2019-20 season, and it is up for debate if he will resign with the Florida Panthers at that point, so the Panthers could get the most selling value for him now, due to the fact he is under control for another season after the trade.

Nashville currently has the cap space to take on that contract and also has a good fit for him on a line next to Kyle Turris (who just so happens to be a former teammate of his) upon his return to the lineup from injury.

Assessing Hoffman’s trade value is also quite easy, as he was traded twice on the same day when he went from Ottawa to San Jose, then moments later traded to Florida.

In the first trade, he was dealt for Mikkel Boedker and Julius Bergman along with a sixth-round pick, and in the second trade, the Sharks got a fourth, fifth, and second-round draft pick in return for him.

With his rise in value, plus where the Preds stand at the moment, the Nashville Predators would likely have to give up their 2019 first round draft pick, and beyond that not much else besides maybe another late round pick.

The trade works out for both sides, as the Predators get the scoring winger that they desperately need, while the Florida Panthers get more draft capital as they continue to surround their young core with even more young talent.

Next. Grimaldi needs to stay. dark

Mike Hoffman could potentially be the piece the Nashville Predators need to get over the hump to possibly win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, as he provides the lineup with something it’s been missing all season: goals.

Home/Editorials