May 5, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues center Mike Hoffman (68) scores a power play goal in a game against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Hoffman will miss up to four weeks with a lower-body injury sustained during the offseason, coach Dominique Ducharme confirmed Saturday.
Montreal signed the 31-year-old free-agent forward to a three-year, $13.5 million contract in July.
Hoffman tallied 17 goals and 19 assists in 52 games last season with the St. Louis Blues. That total snapped a streak of six straight 20-goal campaigns.
He has posted 395 points (189 goals, 206 assists) in 545 career games with the Ottawa Senators (2011-18), Florida Panthers (2018-20) and Blues.
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The Canadiens open their preseason slate Saturday night against the host Toronto Maple Leafs.
Hoffman’s timeline means he will likely miss Montreal’s regular-season opener, also at Toronto, on Oct. 13.
–Field Level Media