Four more years of Mike Hoffman with Ottawa Senators

Last season, Mike Hoffman and the Ottawa Senators went through the always nasty salary arbitration process. Hoffman filed for arbitration again this offseason; however, a week before his scheduled hearing, the two sides came to an agreement. Hoffman, 26, will stay with the Senators for the next four years on a contract worth $20.75-million.

First reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Hoffman will earn $3.8-million for during the 2016-17 season. In the remaining three years of his contract, he’ll make $5.65-million. According to General Fanager, those final three years include a no trade clause where Hoffman can submit a list of 10 teams he would not accept a trade to.

Hoffman is one of the late round draft jewels all NHL teams hope to get. Ottawa selected the forward in the fifth round, 130th overall, in the 2009 draft.

After a couple cups of coffee with the Senators, the forward broke out in 2014-15 season with 27 goals, 48 points in 79 games earning him a sixth place finish in the Calder voting. The following season he set an NHL career high in goals (29), assists (30), and points (59). He led the Senators in goals including a team high nine power play goals.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters, Senators GM Pierre Dorion gave insight into what it took to get Hoffman back under contract. The first involved a ‘cone of silence.’

The next key point was coaching. The relationship between Hoffman and now-former Senators coach Dave Cameron appears to have been strained.

Hoffman played for new Senators head coach Guy Boucher in the QMJHL with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. The team won the QMJHL title and represented the league in the Memorial Cup. In an interview with TSN following the announcement of the contract, Hoffman stated, “Guy Boucher transformed me into the player I am today.” Dorion echoed that feeling.

Per General Fanager, the Senators have $8.87-million in cap space left following the Hoffman signing. The only outstanding RFA contract left is Cody Ceci. Dorion is confident a deal will get done before opening day. The GM is happy with his forward core, and the last item on his shopping list is a depth defenseman.

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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.