Mike Hoffman's game set to advance under Guy Boucher

Mike Hoffman might not be going anywhere but up.

The 26-year-old restricted free agent, who produced in spite of head coach Dave Cameron this past season, was thought to be a trade candidate for the Ottawa Senators this offseason.

Until the hiring of new bench boss Guy Boucher, that is.

Boucher and Hoffman are quite familiar with one another after the coach guided Hoffman's junior team - the QMJHL's Drummondville Voltigeurs - from 2007-09. Time has passed and both have evolved, but Boucher still believes he can bring out a more complete game from Hoffman all these years later.

"I think Mike has shown great things in the NHL. He was in the All-Star Game. Let's focus on his strengths, the fact he's a game-breaker. He can shoot, score and change the game," Boucher told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen on Monday.

"Does he have things he can improve? Of course, but I'm so excited to be coaching him again. I know him. I know what to do with this guy and I know how to surround him ... I just know in the past we've had a great relationship. Yeah, I pushed him, but I pushed him with respect because I cared like I did with all the other players and it turned out to be something good."

Hoffman, 26, recorded 29 goals and 30 assists in 78 games this season, despite averaging only 17:33 per game.

There's still the issue of his new contract to work out, with talks reportedly set to intensify with a new coach in place. The hiring of Boucher, however, seems to bode well for the dynamic winger.