On the Ottawa Senators and Mike Hoffman …
- Ian Mendes of TSN: The Senators took Mike Hoffman to arbitration last summer and were pleased with the one-year, $2 million salary. The Senators and Hoffman could be heading to another tense offseason. Hoffman has led the Senators in scoring the past two seasons, and his 43 even strength goals are up there with some of the leagues top scorers. The Senators will argue Hoffman struggles in the second half of the season. GM Bryan Murray on TSN 1200 on Hoffman and if there is a long-term future for him in Ottawa.
“We want to see Mike Hoffman play down the stretch. We want him to do what he did in the first half of the year. Before we make a real commitment we want to see performance at this time of year when the game is harder and tougher.”
It doesn’t sound like a long-term deal will get done any time soon.
On the Vancouver Canucks, Milan Lucic, Loui Eriksson and Steven Stamkos …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1040 on Milan Lucic, Loui Eriksson and Steven Stamkos.
“I see as an L.A. King. I’m not sure how exactly they’ll get it done, but I think they will get it done. I think they’ll find a way and I think that’s his primary focus right now, is to try and return to the L.A. Kings. I think the Kings have interest in that happening… So I’m going to bet that he doesn’t get to free agency this summer. We’ll see. Could be wrong.
“I think Loui Eriksson is a real good target for the Vancouver Canucks. I think we keep hearing that it might be a real good fit for Eriksson with the Sedins, if they go down that road, so I think that’s a realistic one.
“Stamkos – everybody and their brother is going to want Steven Stamkos if he becomes available. I’m not sure that he will, but if he does I wouldn’t necessarily automatically assume that Vancouver would be at the top of the list. That’s not to say that they wouldn’t get consideration if he gets that far.”