Blues sign veteran forward Mike Hoffman to professional tryout contract
ST. LOUIS — The Blues made a major addition to their forward corps Sunday night, signing veteran forward Mike Hoffman to a professional tryout contract. Hoffman will join the team when training camp begins on Jan. 3 at Centene Community Ice Center.
Hoffman, 30, spent the past three seasons in Florida and scored 29 goals to lead the Panthers in goals in 2019-20. He added 30 assists for 59 points in 69 games. He has scored 20 or more goals in six consecutive seasons and recorded 50 or more points in five straight seasons. Hoffman has played 493 NHL games, scoring 172 goals and adding 187 assists.
A training camp PTO allows the player to participate in all training camp activities but does not create any exclusive rights of negotiation. The player remains able to sign a contract with any NHL team while the PTO is effective. The PTO expires at the end of training camp.
With the Blues likely to place forwards Alexander Steen (who announced his retirement earlier this month) and Vladimir Tarasenko on long-term injured reserve when the season begins — thus creating more financial flexibility — the professional tryout agreement gives the team the ability to evaluate Hoffman while waiting to finalize a standard player contract until more salary cap space becomes available.
