After losing several offensive leaders in the summer of 2021, Marc Bergevin, then general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, decided to target Mike Hoffman.
In this way, the latter finally agreed with the CH on the terms of a three-season contract for a total amount of $13.5 million while he was still an unremunerated free agent.
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Except that the club he played for at the time, the St. Louis Blues, would have liked to retain his services. On this topic, the former Ottawa Senators told The Athletic reporter Jeremy Rutherford that the reason for his departure to Montreal was that the Habs simply offered him better financial compensation.
Hoffman sent me the most honest text message I’ve ever received from a professional athlete.
Me: Have the Blues shown any interest?
Hoffmann: Yes
Me: Why did you sign with Montreal?
Hoffman: More moneyThat was a 3-year deal with the Canadiens for $13.5k. He was handed over to SJ last August.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) November 17, 2023
As a reminder, Hoffman was traded by the Canadian in August. He was part of the three-way team between the San Jose Sharks, Canadiens and Penguins that sent Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh.
In two seasons between 2021 and 2023 with the Bleu Blanc Rouge sweater, the 33-year-old winger scored 29 goals and 40 assists for 69 points in 134 games.
This year, he has scored just three goals and one assist for four points in 16 games for the Sharks.