The Edmonton Oilers announced on Wednesday morning that Mike Hoffman had been granted a professional tryout contract, allowing him to attend training camp this autumn. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports that prospect Carl Berglund was hurt last weekend at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, so the decision was made to bring the winger to camp.
Hoffman, who is 34 years old, spent the most recent season playing for the San Jose Sharks, where he finished with 23 points and 10 goals in 66 games in 2023–24. In his 745 NHL games, the winger has recorded 228 goals and 487 points while playing for the Sharks, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, and Ottawa Senators.
Hoffman made his NHL debut as an everyday player in the lineup during the 2014–15 season, contributing 27 goals and 48 points in 79 games, after the Sens picked him in the fifth round of the 2009 NHL Draft. Hoffman spent four complete seasons with Ottawa, where he scored 104 goals and 224 points in 313 games. However, after the team’s terrible 2017–18 season, Hoffman was traded.
After an unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2016–17, Ottawa’s performance the following season was 28–43–11. Following Hoffman’s off-season relocation, a tale involving the wives of the players surfaced regarding internal turmoil within the team.
Amidst a conflict between Hoffman and his fiancée, as well as between team captain Erik Karlsson and his spouse, the Senators were keen to deal with Hoffman. Melinda Karlsson has applied for an order of protection against Hoffman’s fiancée, claiming that she and her spouse have been the target of hundreds of disparaging internet communications that are intended to be harassing and cyberbullied.
Karlsson stated in the sworn affidavit, “Monika Caryk has uttered numerous statements wishing my unborn child dead.” In March, the first child of the Karlssons was stillborn.
Karlsson further stated that Caryk “spoke of wanting me dead and saying someone should ‘take out’ my husband’s legs in order to ‘end his career.'” The Senators indicated in a statement that they were looking into the claims in conjunction with the NHL after they became public.
Pierre Dorion, general manager of Ottawa, disclosed his thinking behind Hoffman’s trade.
Dorion stated, “Today’s trade demonstrates our commitment to fortify the team’s future by enhancing chemistry, leadership, and character in the locker room and on the ice.” “We are certain that it is a positive move toward this organization’s long-term success.”
Hoffman signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the St. Louis Blues after spending two years in Florida. In the abbreviated 2021 season, Hoffman scored 17 goals and 36 points over 52 games. The following off-season, he signed a three-year contract for $4.5 million a year with the Canadiens as a result. c was traded to San Jose before of the 2023–24 season after racking up 19 goals and 69 points in 134 games in 2021–22 and 2022–23.
Even without Evander Kane on the Long-Term Injured Reserve, the Oilers have $945,833 in salary cap space, which gives them flexibility to sign a player to a cheap contract. Trevis Dermott, a defenseman, was also brought to training camp by the organization on a professional tryout contract.