Sir Michael No Longer Appearing In This Film turned out to be a perfect name
How is Army selling it? It seems like Berube sold the scratch as an opportunity for Blais. He seemed to intentionally not say anything about Hoffman. I could be reading into this a bit but there may be a strategic communication model being employed here.
I read comments after the first scratch that he (Berube)wanted more from Hoffman. Then he came back and had a more eventful game with some more offensive aggressiveness, but the Blues didn’t win. I’m not sure there is more to say. Hoffman’s lines haven’t been effective enough. I guess I don’t see any impetus for Armstrong to make a public comment at all, or for Berube to say anything beyond what he’s already said.
Whether it is performance related or simply protecting a trade asset, pretty much everyone outside the organization is going to assume the latter. Even if it isn't, if you are looking to trade him if the price is right why do anything to upset the protection narrative? It only diminishes his trade value, and that matters whether you're actively trying to move him or simply listening and waiting to get blown away by an offer.
I meant that Army might be having closed door discussions with GMs and saying we are holding him out to keep from him getting injured... ala Hall, etc. I wouldn’t expect Army to come publicly and say something unless it is like the Halak situation where he strategically says we are keeping him and then trades him.
Thing is, anyone's up for trades. All depends on the return. I'm sure many GMs really think "hey, we're keeping this guy," but the right offer knocks and off he goes.
Right now if we just told him to go home and then sold his equipment at the nearest Play It Again Sports, I'd call that a trade deadline win for dumping Hoffman.
