Former Shark Mike Hoffman Signs With the Edmonton Oilers on a Professional Tryout

Former San Jose Shark Mike Hoffman joins the Edmonton Oilers training camp on a professional tryout after returning to the free agent market. The two-time San Jose Shark had much more success in his second stint on the ice than his first, mainly because he didn't play in his first stint in the Bay Area. It was merely a paper transaction with the Ottawa Senators that sent him down to the Florida Panthers.

In his second stint, he played in teal as a cap dump from the Montreal Canadiens in a three-way trade that sent Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hoffman had a difficult time in San Jose as injuries derailed his season. Concussions and a long baron spell in the middle of the season sunk his totals to just ten goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 66 games. He'll be looking to bounce back in Oil Country and get a contract for the new season.

Throughout his two stints with the organization, Hoffman did nothing noteworthy. When he was in Ottawa, the stunts of his girlfriend drove him out of the door of the Canadian capital, but he had no such antics occur when he was a team member in teal. He'll look to continue with a clean nose as he goes for a third stint north of the border.

As for Hoffman's time in San Jose, his arrival only served the purpose of killing the jokes around him, being a San Jose Shark legend, after being in the Bay on paper for 20 minutes before being shipped to Sunrise, Florida. Any expectations from Hoffman were thoroughly gone by Christmas this season as he and the team underperformed, but perhaps a new city with a fresh start will give him something new. He was an excellent mentor to the young forwards in San Jose and, perhaps a new place will give him a boost.