Could the Arizona Coyotes be interested in Mike Hoffman?

With the trade deadline upon them, the Arizona Coyotes could be looking to add a player that can help tip them into the playoffs.

The Arizona Coyotes are sniffing around the final Western Conference wildcard spot but could do with adding some more goal scoring in their hunt for snapping a long playoff drought.

One player that has emerged as a possibility for the Coyotes is Florida Panthers winger Mike Hoffman, who looks set to be moved before the end of tomorrow’s deadline.

Sportsnet analyst and former NHL player Marc Savard is the source of the rumoured interest by the Coyotes, with the 1995 fourth-round selection of the New York Rangers stating that the team is making a strong push for Hoffman’s services.

Hoffman has been with the Panthers for less than a year, after being traded initially by the Ottawa Senators to the San Jose Sharks – who then flipped him to the Panthers for arguably a better haul than the Canadian club.

Since arriving in Florida, Hoffman has put up good numbers – registering 26 goals and 51 total points in 60 games this season, putting him on a pace for the highest single-season total of his career (61 points in 2016/17).

The 29-year-old is signed beyond this season, with an annual cap hit of $5,187,500 until 2020, meaning that the Coyotes wouldn’t lose him shortly after the season and could have him around to make another run at the playoffs next season.

One issue regarding a possible move for Hoffman is his modified no-trade clause, which includes a ten-team no-trade list.

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If the Arizona Coyotes are on Hoffman’s list, then the organisation will have to look elsewhere to add to their goalscoring options.

If, however, Hoffman has left Rick Tocchet‘s team off of his list – it leaves the Coyotes wide open to take a run at the Kitchener, Ontario native.

Another issue might be the cost of acquiring Hoffman, with the veteran winger not likely to come cheaply for any team interested in his services.

Picks and players could be at play, with someone such as Richard Panik an ideal player to part ways with if necessary – ensuring the Coyotes keep hold of any talented prospects they have.

If Hoffman was acquired by the Arizona Coyotes, he would be an immediate upgrade for the team and would be placed firmly on the top line.

He would add a legitimate goal-scoring threat that the team has needed for quite some time and having him signed beyond this season would be an added advantage – ensuring Tocchet has him around for another playoff challenge in 2019/20.

What do you think of this rumour Coyotes fans? Would you be interested in seeing Hoffman traded to the desert? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!