2016 NHL Free Agency: Top 10 restricted free agents

Apr 19, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates with the puck defended by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey (27) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Tampa won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Mike Hoffman

The future of Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman was sort of in question after Hoffman constantly found himself in the dog house of head coach Dave Cameron despite being one of the most productive goal scorers in the NHL during his first two seasons. However, the Senators recently hired Guy Boucher, who coached Hoffman back in juniors, as their head coach. That all but ensures that Hoffman will be a key piece for the Senators moving forward.

Over his first two seasons, Hoffman has scored more goals per 60 minutes at even strength than any forward with at least 1,500 minutes of ice time except for Patrick Kane, Alex Ovechkin, Corey Perry, Tyler Seguin, Rick Nash, and Vladimir Tarasenko. Any time you are in the same category as those six gentlemen in anything involving hockey, you’re clearly doing something right.

Hoffman is 26 years old, which means that a six or seven-year deal might be a bit too much for the Senators. However, a four to five-year deal makes sense because he still has lots of miles left on his skates. Working against Hoffman is that he’s rarely been a top six forward thanks to being in Cameron’s doghouse. His relationship with Boucher should help him though. Expect him to get around $4.5 to $5 million over four or five years.

A six or seven year deal isn’t out of the question, but it’s something that the Senators typically don’t do. They might be willing to make Hoffman an exception to that rule.

Next: 6. Sean Monahan

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