Canadiens Trying To Deal Veteran Forward For Zero Return

While they have one of the top buyout candidates in the league, the Montreal Canadiens just don't seem to be ready to take the $1.6M hit against the cap for the next two seasons on Mike Hoffman, according to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli. 

To that end, the Habs are trying desperately to peddle the former 30-goal scorer for nothing, writes Seravalli. Well, nothing except taking on his $4.5M cap hit in the final year of his contract next season. 

Anyone want to take a flier on an inexpensive volume shooter? Inexpensive, as in, free. Just take him off our hands. That’s what the Canadiens are asking the rest of the league. 

Hoffman, now 33, isn't the goal scorer he once was; following six consecutive 20+ goal seasons from 2014-2022, the forward has settled into a remarkably consistent pattern of being around the 15-goal and 35-point mark for the last three years. Will another team be willing to take on that $4.5M cap hit for one season of that production, that is the question. 

Hoffman doesn't make a lot of sense taking up ice time for a rebuilding team, so just having him off the roster and unavailable for head coach Martin St. Louis to go to would be beneficial in itself. 

GM Kent Hughes is apparently trying to make it happen. 

Photo: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports