A Winning Habit
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Canadiens: Grading Some of the New Kids on the Block

By Scott Cowan

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 23: Mathieu Perreault #85 of the Montreal Canadiens reacts as he celebrates his goal during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Centre Bell on October 23, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 23: Mathieu Perreault #85 of the Montreal Canadiens reacts as he celebrates his goal during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Centre Bell on October 23, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Oct 21, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Mike Hoffman. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Mike Hoffman. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Hoffman: 7 Games, 4-0-4 totals: B+

Expectations were high for Hoffman coming into Montreal, and for the most part, he’s served his role and served it well. After a tumultuous 2020-21 season that saw the former Ottawa Senators star remain unsigned for most of the off-season, before inking a one-year deal with the St. Louis Blues off a PTO, the Kitchener native found himself with a four-year deal in Montreal after another solid season. A former fifth round pick of the Senators in 2009, Hoffman has been an emblem of consistency ever since securing a full-time role in the 2014-15 season, with six 20-goal seasons to his name.

While injuries derailed him early on in 2021-22, he’s been solid and reliable since coming into the lineup, contributing with timely offense, putting up four goals over his first seven games. A pure goal scorer with a lethal release and deft hands, Hoffman has been a valuable powerplay asset for the Canadiens with a laser release from the point. Couple that with a number of talented puck movers on the blueline in Sami Niku and Chris Wideman, and Hoffman should continue to produce in Montreal in spite of the lack of offensive support around him.

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