This Time, Hoffman Hopes To Be With Sharks For Longer

Mike Hoffman hopes this stint with the San Jose Sharks will last a little longer.

In Jun. 2018, Sharks GM Doug Wilson acquired Hoffman from the Ottawa Senators, then flipped the high-scoring winger on the same day to the Florida Panthers. Hoffman’s Sens tenure had ended in controversy, when fiancee and now wife Monika Caryk was accused of cyberbullying Erik Karlsson’s wife Melinda. Caryk denied the allegations.

That fall, Ottawa sent Karlsson to San Jose.

Now, once again, Karlsson and Hoffman are tangentially related, this time more directly, as they were traded for each other on Sunday in a three-team trade, the reigning Norris Trophy winner going to the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens sending Hoffman over.

Hoffman, who is now on the last year of his contract carrying a $4.5-million AAV, is joining the Sharks with the opportunity to return to his normal goal scoring form. His last two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens saw him score below a 20-goal pace for the first time since 2013-14. From 2014 to 2020, Hoffman was one of the most consistent scorers in the league, surpassing 20 goals in every season. The sniper averaged 28 goals a campaign in that run.

Can Hoffman find his game? And will he earn another banner from San Jose Sharks fans?

Hoffman on his immediate reaction to the trade:

It was a little surprising at first. Once it sunk in, it’s an exciting time for me and my family. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to play in San Jose and getting to meet the team, coaching staff, and all the workers around there. It’s gonna be a little bit of a change, never lived on the West Coast. It’ll be a cool experience for myself, my family. We’re looking forward to starting things up in September.

Hoffman on his experience in Montreal:

I really enjoyed my time there. Great group of guys. I liked the coaching staff and whatnot. But, I don’t think I really played up to what I’m capable of doing. I still really believe in myself, in my game, and think that I can contribute and bring a lot. Hopefully, we can prove that San Jose.

Hoffman on ‘returning’ to San Jose:

It’s funny how we’re circling back to, maybe four years ago. Maybe longer. I was only there for maybe an hour the last time, and it looks like it might be a little longer than that this time.  Like I said, it’s a great opportunity, it’s gonna be a cool experience, and looking forward to it.

Hoffman on potentially being moved during this season:

I haven’t even thought that far ahead. It’s still pretty fresh and I’m just looking forward to getting an opportunity to play, come in and meet the guys, and then go from there.

Hoffman, on being part of player movement related to Karlsson once again:

Yeah, players are getting traded both ways. I guess a little coincidence that it seems to be similar names, but that’s kind of what it is.

Hoffman on the Mar. 2019 Teal City Crew banner that welcomed him when the Panthers visited SAP Center:

That was funny. Very cool and neat idea by them to do it. I’m not sure where that [banner] is now. We were able to get a picture with them and talk to them quickly.

Big day for these guys pic.twitter.com/LsovmdB4di

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) August 6, 2023

Hoffman on becoming a leader for the San Jose Sharks’ younger players:

The biggest thing that you can show them is leading by example. Showing them what it takes to be a good NHL player, consistently, whether it’s off the ice, on the ice. That’s probably the biggest thing that I’ll try and focus on is being a good professional and helping those young guys.