Is Mike Hoffman The One Feeling Left Out?
By Jeff Ulmer
Mike Hoffman seems to be the forgotten one these days.
SenShot’s Senior Editor Jared Crozier ran an earlier piece on Stephane Da Costa on being the forgotten man. Perhaps that would now apply to Hoffman instead. He was thought by many to be ready to be playing for Ottawa and Da Costa the one to be cut but Mike had a real quiet camp and was ineffective on the ice. He will now be penciled in on Binghamton’s 3rd line with Derek Grant and winger Buddy Robinson. That’s puzzling and quite shocking to some fans.
Sep 29, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Mike Hoffman (68) shoots on New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov (20) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
It appears the approach of Ottawa’s Paul MacLean has now somewhat reached the level of the AHL. Only the best players will play. That’s not saying Hoffman won’t be playing, but let’s take Andre Petersson for an example. Andre had a terrific camp in Ottawa and leaped frog out of nowhere to surpass Hoffman. Luke Richardson thought so too and Petersson is slated to play on the 2nd line with center Jim O’Brien and Shane Prince. Now that’s a man on a mission after missing just about the entire season last year due to his hip injury.
Last season, the crafty left winger had 13 goals and 15 assists in 41 games while leading the B-Sens in scoring before suffering a broken collar-bone and was most likely getting the next call up, but instead that went to a healthy Mark Stone. He eventually returned to the line up and did get that call to Ottawa and played in three games before re-injuring that same collar-bone. That was it for him. Mike’s season was done.
During the off-season Ottawa re-signed the restricted free agent to a one year, two-way contract. He will be starting his 4th season for the B-Sens and have plenty of opportunity to prove himself once again. Mike has to let his game come to him instead of pressing for it. He has all the elements to be a bottom 6 NHL’er and may possibly end up somewhere other than Ottawa as the organization has deep pockets in depth nowadays. However, if he comes out of the box lighting it up this season and keeping scorekeepers busy, he won’t have any worries and neither will Ottawa.
-B-Sens Player Interviews
Binghamton media member Bob Howard has a list of player’s interviews from media day on his website Power Play Post Show. Included on the list is forwards O’Brien and Mika Zibanejad. It’s an interesting take on how they both feel after getting sent down to Bingo from Ottawa. My favorite however, happens to be goaltender Nathan Lawson and his amusing no-nonsense approach to answering questions. Mysteriously omitted is Hoffman as he didn’t make himself available according to Bob.
-Update from Bingo
As expected, forwards Danny Hobbs and Ludwig Karlsson, defenseman Danny New and goaltender Scott Greenham are headed to Elmira. Ottawa property blue liner Ben Blood will get the start for the B-Sens after splitting time between Bingo and Elmira last year. New will get the nod for the Jackals after splitting time with them and Bingo as well.
Depth is abundant everywhere for the B-Sens and this is going to be an exciting ride this season. 2 more days.