Hoffman make Canadiens debut vs. Sharks

After a slight delay due to a lower-body injury, Mike Hoffman made his Montreal Canadiens debut against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

The Canadiens signed the 31-year-old to a three-year, $13.5-million deal as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Hoffman suffered the injury before going to Montreal and was initially expected to miss the first week-and-a-half of the regular season.

That puts his recovery slightly ahead of the originally targeted Oct. 23 game against the Detroit Red Wings as his debut.

"The body feels good and I'm ready to go," Hoffman said Monday before receiving the green light on Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.

Hoffman was on the third line at morning skate.

The Canadiens have been held winless through the first three games of the season and have scored just three goals. The typically productive Hoffman has 189 career goals in 545 contests, 67 of which have come on the man advantage. The Canadiens' power play has gotten off to an 0-for-11 start.

Forward Adam Brooks also made his Montreal debut on Tuesday in the place of the injured Jake Evans. The Canadiens claimed the 25-year-old off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs last week.