Blues Seemingly Confirm Interest in NHL UFA Forward Mike Hoffman

We’ve covered extensively the buzz and speculation surrounding UFA forward Mike Hoffman. The highest-scoring forward in free agency still hasn’t signed and his agent has come out and said Hoffman is willing to be patient, waiting for teams to clear room and place players on LTIR at the start of the NHL season. It’s probably a sound strategy considering whispers and hints from other teams that aren’t ruling out the idea that Hoffman could be a good fit for them.

Related: Hoffman’s Agent Says Player Has Tons of Patience

The latest is the St. Louis Blues. As per a report by Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, the Blues are looking for additional scoring and have considered Hoffman as a potential add.

With news that Vladimir Tarasenko could miss significant time thanks to his third shoulder surgery and the possibility the team will put Alex Steen on injured reserve as well, they may have the cash to add Hoffman and his expected ask of at least $5 million.

When asked directly if the team would have interest in Hoffman, Blues GM Jim Rutherford didn’t rule it out. He noted:

“I’m not saying we wouldn’t. (But) in all contracts, in my opinion, there’s a dollar value, where it just makes sense to do it without trying to jam a square peg into a round hole. I don’t believe there’s a premium we need to pay to fill a hole.”

So, for the Blues, he seems to have confirmed the team’s interest, but the price matters as does what would happen after Hoffman comes aboard.

Blues Would Have to Carefully Navigate LTIR

It’s one thing to find yourself with cap space when you put players on LTIR. It’s another to not account for those players returning. At some point, the money freed up by moving Steen and Tarasenko will return and the Blues are already over the cap by $1.2 million. Don’t forget, they also have to get restricted free agent Vince Dunn signed.

And, it’s not like Hoffman will come cheap. If there’s one thing we know now, it’s that he’s waiting for the right deal. We also know other teams might have relayed their interest if they too can move money around. Among them might be the Boston Bruins. Joe Haggerty of Boston Hockey Now says that player to watch out of Boston is David Pastrnak. If he’s not ready for the start of the season, GM Don Sweeney could come calling.

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