Edmonton Oilers sign former 30 goal scorer to tryout contract

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Liam McCormick
September 18, 2024 (8:49)

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Moments ago, the Edmonton Oilers announced they've signed forward Mike Hoffman to a professional tryout contract.

Now 34 years old, Hoffman was drafted in the fifth round by the Ottawa Senators in 2009. He's gone on to play 745 career games with the Senators, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, and San Jose Sharks. Hoffman had some great offensive seasons with Ottawa and Florida, reaching a career high of 36 goals, but has seriously tailed off in the last four years. In 66 games with the Sharks last year, Hoffman only scored 10 goals and 23 points.

It makes sense the Oilers would pursue a forward for a tryout contract after confirming that Evander Kane will miss several months to begin the season after surgery. Still, the Oilers have plenty of quality young forwards that will be pushing to make the team in training camp, and Hoffman will have to beat them out.

Currently, the Oilers have Derek Ryan, Corey Perry, and Vasily Podkolzin as their fourth line. It's not hard to imagine Perry being scratched to give a younger player some games, and potentially Podkolzin doesn't work out and is sent to the AHL.

Raphael Lavoie, Noah Philp, Lane Pederson, and James Hamblin will all be pushing to take one of those fourth line roles, and now Mike Hoffman will be added to the list. Training camp begins today, with the preseason beginning on September 22nd at home. Do you think Hoffman will make the team? Let us know in the poll below!