If there one recurring complaint concerning Dave Cameron’s coaching decisions down the stretch, it involves his decision to diminish Mike Hoffman’s role by relegating him to the fourth line.
In case it wasn’t transparent enough, it is quite obvious that the coaching staff and or the greater Senators organization believes Hoffman to be a defensive liability when he is on the ice.
Make no mistake, Hoffman will never be considered for Selke Trophy consider – in fact, Erik Karlsson may have a better chance of winning the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward, hey-o! – but goals like Dale Weiss’ first goal from game three of the playoffs help fuel the perception of Hoffman as someone who becomes a little lackadaisical within his own end.