It appears Hawks want to keep their core players (Toews, Kane, Seabrook and Keith) and he has NMC. He isn't a 1st pair D right now. Don't see Hoffman signing for $5M for 2 years. Maybe if it was $6M but it's likely one year.

Valid points except Keith would be most definitely be on the first pairing with this D corps. He would compliment McAvoy nicely

Agreed. However, I'd think Keith is more of a 1st pair guy than say Chara was last year. Also, I know Hoffman looking for a one year deal worth 5.5 but maybe he signs for a tad less over 2 years. With this core he'd have a very good chance of winning.

Why? He isn't a first pair guy anymore. He's 37 and his game has regressed. McAvoy was already limited by Chara the past few years and you play another old dman with him. Grzelcyk-McAvoy were great together and here's an opportunity to play them together so do it.

That’s fair, admittedly I don’t know how much Boston spreads ice time across the top 6 D but Keith is most definitely in the top 4 playing big minutes. I get your comparison to Chara but Keith is 6 years younger, plays about 3 more minutes per game, and probably has a better injury history? He’s only missed like 3 games over the last 4 seasons... that’s pretty solid. Keith has regressed from being a number 1 defensemen, but he’s top-3 on almost every team in the league.

And he can still fly. Very mobile which would most certainly compliment Mcavoy.

Detroit passes, and try more like 2 x $6.5 million for Mike Hoffman.