Hoffman traded twice, ends in Fla.
The Ottawa Senators traded winger Mike Hoffman yesterday, hoping to solve an ugly off-ice issue involving star defenseman Erik Karlsson and his wife.
The Senators sent Hoffman to the San Jose Sharks, who then dealt him to the Florida Panthers. All told, the two transactions involved four players and six draft picks.
The Sharks sent forward Mikkel Boedker, defenseman prospect Julius Bergman and a 2020 sixthround pick to the Senators for Hoffman, defenseman prospect Cody Donaghey and a 2020 fifth-round pick. They then dealt Hoffman and a 2018 seventhround pick to the Panthers for 2018 fourth- and fifthround picks and a 2019 second-round pick in a move that clears significant cap space for San Jose to use in an offseason that includes free agent forwards John Tavares and Ilya Kovalchuk.
The Senators were eager to deal Hoffman amid a dispute with team captain Karlsson and his wife. Melinda Karlsson recently filed an order of protection against Hoffman’s fiancee alleging harassment and cyberbullying in the form of hundreds of derogatory online messages aimed at her and her husband, whose first child, a boy, was stillborn in March.
Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion didn’t hide his reasoning for the trade.
“Today’s trade showcases our determination to strengthen the future of the team by improving chemistry, leadership and character in the locker room and on the ice,” Dorion said. “We are confident it is a step in the right direction for the long-term success of this organization.”
The Senators may still trade Karlsson, who can be a free agent at the end of next season, but shipping Hoffman addressed an immediate problem.
Salary cap a plus
Thanks, Vegas. That’s what NHL general managers are saying after the Stanley Cup final run of the expansion Golden Knights contributed to a healthy increase for the salary cap.
With Tavares, Carlson and a strong group of free agents available soon, the ceiling for spending will rise to between $78 million and $82 million from $75 million. Players like Tavares, Carlson and forwards James van Riemsdyk and Paul Stastny won’t come cheap. They’re just a few of the big-name players who could be on the move this offseason.
With GMs meeting tomorrow in Dallas and around this weekend at the draft, trade talk is percolating before free agency opens in July. Buffalo center Ryan O’Reilly, Pittsburgh forward Phil Kessel, Montreal captain Max Pacioretty and Washington backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer could all be on the move as hundreds of free agents don’t know where they’ll be playing next season.