Mike Hoffman

[Alfie11]

What a surprise Hoffman has been this year for the Sens.

At the beginning of the season, it was clear that this was his final chance. Make the team, or he's put on waivers. A late bloomer at every stage so far, Hoffman had an impressive training camp and made the team. Playing only 14:08 a game, on the fourth line until December, Hoffman has scored 16 even strength goals in 43 games. Only Seguin, Nash, Tarasenko, Stamkos and Pacioretty have more even strength goals than him this year. Those players all average more time on ice than him, and all have played more games so far. He's also been a +19. And he's a rookie.

He's extremely fast (we'll see how fast this weekend, I guess), and has an excellent shot and release

[Josh]

Re: Mike Hoffman

Yeah, he's been an awesome story so far this season. Do you guys think he's the real deal? Will he repeat or even improve next season?

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Mike Hoffman

Kitchener represent!

I think Hoffman is a solid second line player. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect 20 goals per season as an average. His shot and his speed are both much quicker than other players often expect, and that's where his success has come from. I feel he might level out a bit over time.

[Alfie11]

Re: Mike Hoffman

Here's the intriguing thing, though. He's surprised and over-performed at every level of hockey so far, and is now doing it in the NHL.

It will be really interesting to see where he falls. I see what you're saying, Matt, but a ton of goal-scorers have a knack for making it seem extremely simple. They just find ways to put the puck in the net. Only time will tell, but if history matters, it's on Hoffman's side.

[matchesmalone]

Re: Mike Hoffman

I love watching Hoffman play, and he seems to have a deadly chemistry with Erik Karlsson lately.

I love that we have two of the top five rookie point-scorers, and Hoffman I believe tied for the rookie goal-scoring lead. Not to mention Lazar playing a stong defensive game, and Pageau a wonderful two-way game. The future is extremely bright in Ottawa. And the 2015 draft class is looking particularly impressive, where we could get a guy like Kyle Connor or Brandon Carlo or Nick Merkely even outside the top ten. I just hope Lehner pans out the way he was hoped to have. Still just 23 an has shown flashes of excellence, so my hopes are high.

[Alfie11]

Re: Mike Hoffman

Drouin set the NHL record for fastest skater with 13.103 seconds. Hoffman finished second with a time of 13.163, which gives him the second fastest speed ever at an All Star Skills Competition. Hoffman tripped and stumbled a bit...safe to say if he hadn't of he'd be setting the NHL record.

[thedaigle1]

Re: Mike Hoffman

Pretty sure his AHL record fell this weekend in Utica.