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Canadiens: Could Mike Hoffman Also Be On His Way Out?

By Patrick Lortie|
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 24: Mike Hoffman #68 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on without a helmet in honour of the Late Guy Lafleur during warmups prior to the game against the Boston Bruins at Centre Bell on April 24, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 24: Mike Hoffman #68 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on without a helmet in honour of the Late Guy Lafleur during warmups prior to the game against the Boston Bruins at Centre Bell on April 24, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Rumors, rumors, rumors. When your team is on the cusp of a rebuild, it seems that everyone will at some point be included in some trade rumor. The Montreal Canadiens are certainly right at that point with only a few weeks to go before the NHL Draft.

After the recent reports concerning Jeff Petry possibly being the next player on the move and of course the never ending rumors swirling around Josh Anderson, it seems another veteran has also garnered some interest around the NHL.

MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 29: Mike Hoffman #68 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during warmups prior to the game against the Florida Panthers at Centre Bell on April 29, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers 10-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 29: Mike Hoffman #68 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during warmups prior to the game against the Florida Panthers at Centre Bell on April 29, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers 10-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

After being acquired in the Shea Weber deal, many thought Evgenii Dadonov was going to reunite with an old teammate but it might not be so, as Mike Hoffman might also be shipped out of Montreal according to rumors by The Fourth Period. French media columnist Olivier Paiement from danslescoulisses.com also picked up on the idea of trading the veteran winger.

Hoffman has two years left at a $4.5 million cap hit and can still help a contending team. In 67 games with the Canadiens last season he scored 15 goals, added 20 assists totalling 35 points and came exactly as advertised. He can still give you secondary scoring while providing some support on the powerplay.

Teams like the Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators who are in desperate helps for some backup on the left side of the ice could come knocking for help. Although a team like the Seattle Kraken can easily pick the winger up given their massive amount of cap space available.

NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 03: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders during warm up prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils on April 3, 2022 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 03: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders during warm up prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils on April 3, 2022 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Getty Images)

A surprise team like the New York Islanders could also make a play for Hoffman. While the 32 year old wouldn’t necessarily be the centerpiece of the trade, there are many rumors that Lou Lamoriello is looking to trade Anthony Beauvillier. The 25 year old Sorel-Tracy, Quebec native also has 2 years left on his deal at a $4.15 million cap hit.

Expectations were high for Beauvillier last season but he failed to meet them. The speedy winger and former 2015 28th overall pick finished the season with 12 goals, 22 assists and 34 points in 75 games.

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