Free Agent Focus: Mike Hoffman

An already interesting Florida Panthers offseason is about to hit its zenith.

The NHL’s free agency period opens Friday at noon and according  to Puckpedia.com, the Panthers have 13 NHLers currently under contract. 

That leaves a lot of work — and some big decisions — for new GM Bill Zito. 

With an estimated cap hit of roughly $62.5 million for next season’s Panthers — and with the NHL salary capped at $81.5 million — Florida has a little over $19 million to work even after factoring in retained money, buyouts and Roberto Luongo’s early retirement recapture penalty.

The Panthers have five unrestricted free agents. Will they stay or will they go? Should they stay or should they go? 

We’ll break it down player by player.

Today: Mike Hoffman

Up Next: Mark Pysyk

Previous Free Agent Focus: Evgenii Dadonov; Erik Haula; Brian Boyle