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New York Rangers: Why Mike Hoffman should be a trade possibility

By William Schneiderhan |
OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 19: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Mike Hoffman (68) as there is a stoppage in play during third period National Hockey League action between the Minnesota Wild and Ottawa Senators on December 19, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 19: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Mike Hoffman (68) as there is a stoppage in play during third period National Hockey League action between the Minnesota Wild and Ottawa Senators on December 19, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The New York Rangers seem to be lacking one other goal scorer to deepen their lines. So, could Ottawa Senator Mike Hoffman be an option?

The New York Rangers are getting solid production from each of their lines, just like last year.

However, that reliance seems to be too much of a gamble, which has at times led to the team leaning heavily on just a few guys like Michael Grabner, Rick Nash, and Chris Kreider. If one of these goal scorers doesn’t find the net, the Rangers don’t score.

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Those three seem to be the “goal scorers” on the team, and while they have all contributed, they may need some help down the stretch. Grabner has been a revelation since signing with the team. But, looking for him to be the number one goal scorer seems to be too much to ask.

Nash and Kreider may also be too inconsistent to be looked at as top-tier goal scorers night in and night out.

A player like Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman should be on the Rangers list if they do want to add scoring. Hoffman’s stats are not that impressive, he currently has nine goals and 24 points on a bad Senators team. However, in his prior three seasons, he has averaged near 27 goals a season and 56 points a year.

Those averages are better than the averages for Nash, Grabner, and Kreider over their last three seasons.

How else could Hoffman help?

Hoffman would also add depth to the power play units. Last year, Hoffman had 26 power play points, a trend that he has kept up this year with 11 power play points.

The 28-year old is listed as a center/left wing, but he seems to play far more as a wing due to his face off stats.

Hoffman not only would potentially benefit the Rangers needed goal scoring, but he is also under contract until 2020. His contract comes with a cap hit of $5,187,500 and a modified trade clause.

Why would this be important? Because the Rangers have many contracts set to expire this summer, including two of the three forwards mentioned above in Nash and Grabner.

Having Hoffman under contract at a decent cap hit for the next few seasons could help the Rangers by already having an established forward on their roster while they try to re-sign restricted free agents Kevin Hayes and JT Miller this off-season.

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Trading for a veteran wing like Hoffman who has playoff experience, being a goal away from the Stanley Cup last year, would be beneficial to the Rangers for the remainder of this season. His scoring would aid the team and his contract would allow for the Rangers to have depth while trying to retain key guys.

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