Monday night will mark Mike Hoffman's first game in Ottawa since being traded from the Senators.
Hoffman was flipped to the Florida Panthers after originally being dealt to the San Jose Sharks back in June. At the time, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion suggested that the trade was an attempt to improve the team's locker room dynamic.
Ottawa traded the forward after it became public that Erik Karlsson and his wife Melinda had accused Hoffman's fiancee, Monika Caryk, of being behind a campaign of harassment against the Karlssons on social media.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Monday's game, Hoffman suggested the narrative put forth by Dorion wasn't entirely true.
"People sometimes need reasons on why they get rid of some players," he said, according to "Tim and Sid." "If you go and ask anyone around that locker room if I was a problem, I think you'll be able to find that answer yourself."
His former Sens teammate, defenseman Mark Borowiecki, said he'd always been on good terms with Hoffman.
"I will say I've played with Hoff(man) for I think seven years between minors and the NHL, I always got along with him," Borowiecki told reporters, via Sportsnet. "I never had any issue with Hoff. We chatted a bit during the game in Florida and will probably do the same tonight, but at the same time, we know a guy like him: a big shooter from the outside, big speed, you got to put a body on him and play him hard. So, friends off for a little bit."
Hoffman enters Monday's game riding a 15-game point streak, the longest such streak in Panthers history. In all, Hoffman has eight goals and 18 points in 17 games with Florida this season.
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