Report: Bruins 'for sure' looking at Mike Hoffman ahead of trade deadline

The Boston Bruins need secondary scoring help, and with the trade deadline quickly approaching, general manager Don Sweeney appears to be doing his due diligence in scoping out the market. 

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Bruins are interested in St. Louis Blues winger Mike Hoffman, who was made a healthy scratch on Wednesday, sparking trade rumors. 

"A team like Boston is looking at Mike Hoffman for sure," Dreger said Friday on TSN 1050 Toronto.

The Bruins have been linked to Hoffman since the 2019-20 campaign and were reportedly among the teams "most interested" in the Ontario native before the start of the 2020-21 season.

Hoffman ended up spending the last season with the Florida Panthers before agreeing to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Blues ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. 

The 31-year-old has notched nine goals and 12 assists in 36 games this season, but his expiring contract makes him a key trade target for teams looking to add depth ahead of the playoffs. 

Hoffman has scored 20-plus goals in each of his last six seasons in the NHL and would be a huge boost offensively for the Bruins, who often fail to get production out of anyone not named Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron or David Pastrnak. 

The trio combined has notched 50 goals this season, while the rest of the team has accounted for 45 goals. 

Boston has also been linked to Taylor Hall and Alex Iafallo, among others, as well. The NHL trade deadline is Monday, April 12, at 3 p.m. ET.