NHL Rumors: Blue Jackets and Mike Hoffman inching closer to a deal? Capitals looking to salary dump, and more

Anthony Scultore |

Nov 22, 2020

The Columbus Blue Jackets need more offensive help even after acquiring Max Domi for Josh Anderson this offseason. The loss of Gustav Nyquist to shoulder surgery is painful for a team that needs every goal they can get.

NHL Rumors: Blue Jackets after Mike Hoffman

The Jackets have $9.2 million in cap space which should give GM Jarmo Kekalainen enough to work with. His main priority is to sign RFA Pierre-Luc Dubois but he also is closing in on Mike Hoffman.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes that either Hoffman or Granlund will be a Jacket soon. Now, the rumor mill is getting a little louder that Hoffman could be a member of the Jackets in the very near future.

While Hoffman, who is the top UFA remaining has remained patient, the talks of training camps starting in the next few weeks has increased the urgency. A one year deal with Columbus isn’t out of the question and he isn’t opposed to the idea.

“There’s no issues on a one-year deal,” Hoffman’s agent said late last month. “Obviously, if you’re going to take a one-year deal, you want to put yourself in a good situation because you’re going to be back in the market next year again.”

NHL Rumors: Capitals looking to dump salary

The Washington Capitals have only $1 million in cap space and could use some more in order to add inexpensive depth. In order to do so, they will need to dump some salary.

According to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com, defenseman Nick Jensen has become expendable since they signed Justin Schultz and Tevor van Riemsdyk. The 30 year-old Jensen has three years remaining with a hit of $2.5 million and won’t be an easy move in this economy.

Another potential player they could move is 29 year-old forward Richard Panik. He also has three years with a slightly higher AAV of $2.75 million. Teams are always looking for some depth so it is possible the Caps can find a taker for one or both.

David Krejci still wants to play but will it be in Boston?

David Krejci will be a UFA in 2021 at the age of 35. He can still play as he notched 43 points in 61 games. Krejci will also be coming off a deal that pays him $7.25 million and will get nothing close to that in the post-COVID economy.

“My contract expires after next year. Then we’ll see. I’m not planning on retiring, that’s for sure. I plan on still playing. But for how long or what’s going to happen after [the current contract], I guess we’ll see. I’m definitely not planning on going into next season as my last,” said Krejci. “I’m aware that I only have one year left. It’s not just this situation, but the older you get the more you appreciate everything.”

So will the Boston Bruins bring him back? It doesn’t sound like a given and if they don’t he will be a bargain UFA in 2021. Adam Gretz at NBC thinks a Boston return is possible if the terms are right, otherwise Krejci is likely to be in a new uniform for 2021-22.