New Jersey Devils: Five Last-Minute Free Agents To Consider

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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New Jersey Devils Mike Hoffman
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Of course, the best offensive player that the Devils can add in free agency this late in the game is Mike Hoffman. Hoffman spent the early part of his career with the Ottawa Senators but has since been a Florida Panthers for the last two seasons. With Florida, he became a really good goal scorer and point producer. He isn’t a perfect player but he would be a really nice addition to New Jersey’s top-six.

Hoffman is still only 31 years old, so you could justify giving him two to three years on a fairly nice deal. He has had 50 or more points in each of the last six years and seven years ago was his rookie year where he had 48. In 2018-19, he had 36 goals and 34 assists for 60 points in 82 games. He wasn’t allowed to play 82 games in 2019-20 because of COVID-19 but he was on a similar path with 29 goals and 30 assists for 59 points.

Over an 82-game season, that 2019-20 production is on track for 34 goals and 35 assists for 71 points which is basically the exact same thing as the season before. If he brought that level of play to the Devils right now, he would really help them out. He would make a great fit on a line with one of Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes as they try to grow their offensive game even more. Bringing in Hoffman would be an amazing move for this team right now.