GOAL-SCORING HOFFMAN READY TO TEST MARKET

TORONTO, ON -- Mike Hoffman is ready to score goals for a new team next season. The 30-year-old has scored less than 26 goals just once in six full seasons in the NHL and will hit the free agent market Friday as one of the top goal-scoring threats available in the 2020 UFA class.

Hoffman, who potted in 29 goals in 69 games with the Florida Panthers this past season, is going to be a hot commodity. If you look at his numbers, his goal production compares favourably with Taylor Hall.

Over their careers – Hall has played 627 NHL regular-season games, to date, while Hoffman has played 493 – Hoffman has a higher goals-per-game statistic and the same game-winning goals stat as Hall.

Hoffman also boasts a higher goals-per-game figure and has scored more game-winning-goals the last two seasons, and had more points-per-game than Hall this season. In fact, Hoffman has scored more goals than Hall in five of the last six seasons.

Teams in the hunt for a legitimate top-line scorer need to look no further than Hoffman. And given the thin marketplace, there will be plenty of teams calling Hoffman’s camp this Friday once the free agency doors swing open at noon ET.

Hoffman has not fully closed the door on a return to Florida, however, but a quick look at the market suggests the demand outweighs the supply. The Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks are among the teams looking to land a sniper this off-season, and Hoffman gives a club options as he can play both wings.

The native of Kitchener, Ontario is coming off a four-year, $20.75 million contract. Despite the economic state of the League due to Covid-19, Hoffman’s offensive capabilities will surely land him a contract with a higher AAV than his previous deal.

Florida has $21.738 million in available salary cap space. With the Panthers reportedly eyeing a pursuit of Alex Pietrangelo, should he hit the open market, the team still has plenty of room to work in a raise for Hoffman and a deal for the current (soon former?) St. Louis Blues captain. They’d also have room to potentially re-sign forward Evgenii Dadonov and their pending RFAs.

Panthers GM Bill Zito continues to also explore the trade market, as speculation suggests he’s dangling veteran defenceman Keith Yandle and his $6.35 million cap hit. However, Yandle owns a full no-movement clause and would have to approve any deal the Panthers try to complete. I’m led to believe he’ll be sticking around, so clearing out money will likely come in another form.

The Panthers will be busy this week and well into free agency. Hoffman’s about to have an interesting week, himself.

ALL EYES ON CALGARY

The Calgary Flames are going to be a very interesting team to watch this week. Several team sources around the League believe the Flames are going to be tremendously active, and it appears their activity has already commenced.

Calgary’s priority is in goal. That is their No.1 focus. And it appears they’ve set their sights on two primary free agent candidates: Jacob Markstrom and Braden Holtby, in that order.

We already know Holtby is hitting the open market – I wrote about it last week – but if the Vancouver Canucks cannot agree to a contract extension with Markstrom before Friday at noon ET, the Flames will be the 30-year-old netminder’s first call.

I’m told the Flames want to go all-in on Markstrom, if the opportunity presents itself. So far, talks with Vancouver have yet to bear fruit and the stumbling blocks are money and expansion protection. If the Canucks clear those hurdles, they’ll get Markstrom inked. If not, beware of Calgary.

With goaltending being their top priority, the Flames will have to figure out their blueline for the 2020-21 campaign.

The Flames aren’t expected to re-sign T.J. Brodie or Travis Hamonic, who might be destined for Winnipeg. The team has expressed some level of interest in re-signing Erik Gustafsson, but he is still expected to hit the market.

What about Taylor Hall? I’m glad you asked.

The Flames are believed to have serious interest in going after Hall and could try to secure his negotiating rights from the Coyotes. Some question why any team would trade for his rights given how he seems set on fielding offers once the UFA period begins, but Calgary might want to get a head start and giving up a fourth- or fifth-round pick might be worth it in the end.

If the Flames are successful in signing Hall, there is internal league-wide speculation they might try to move Johnny Gaudreau for a defenceman. Another fluid situation to watch.

MORE ON MARKSTROM AND THE CANUCKS

If Markstrom re-signs with Vancouver or turns the Flames aside, Calgary will shift its focus onto Holtby. Coincidentally, if the Canucks lose out on Markstrom, they will zero in on Holtby. Ah, it’s a fun time.

A potential wildcard in the goalie carousel is the Colorado Avalanche. They’ll be players in the market and are expected to reach out to both Markstrom and Holtby once they’re allowed to do so.

Another interesting nugget: there have been at least two serious inquiries on Thatcher Demko. Could Vancouver entertain the idea of trading Demko if Markstrom’s locked up? Perhaps. We know the Arizona Coyotes initially asked for Demko to be part of a package for Oliver Ekman-Larsson. I’m not sure he’ll be included in a deal, though. If the Canucks fail to land OEL they could turn their attention to Minnesota’s Matt Dumba, and a source close to the team told me the Wild have expressed interest in Demko.

SABRES LOOKING FOR SCORER

The Buffalo Sabres are one of several teams looking to add some extra fire power to their roster this off-season. They could certainly be one of the teams that goes after Hoffman, but they’re also exploring the trade route.

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has been exploring his options heading into the week and he’ll continue to be active during and past the NHL Draft.

It sounds like the Sabres are willing to move the eighth-overall pick in Tuesday’s first-round, but it would take a significant return to facilitate such a trade. I’m not sure they get there, but they will look elsewhere for options. Perhaps there’s an opportunity to pluck Tyler Johnson or Alex Killorn out of Tampa, if either of those players are willing to accept a trade to Buffalo.

The Sabres have also been linked to Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz, Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk and Columbus Blue Jackets sniper Josh Anderson.

Meanwhile, contract talks have yet to start with pending RFA Sam Reinhart. Those discussions will likely begin later this week.