Uncanny Antman said:

If you want to only use III-VI, what would you be doing with Hoffman's open-ended fate from VI's climax?

{SPOILERS!!!!}

I would leave it that way. The way Hoffman ended up in Saw VI was completely deserving so it doesn't really matter if he survives or not. The fact that he was in the trap at all was enough. Besides, after he got out of the Reverse Bear Trap, he still had a gaping hole in the side of his head and he was still locked into a room. It wasn't a Jigsaw trap he was in. It was meant for punishment and was constructed by Jill on order of John after his death. He was meant to suffer for his crimes, not survive.

Besides, he was the last person involved in the Jigsaw murders if you dont count Jill for that last trap. I cant imagine what VII will do because VI basically tied up the whole story and answered all the unanswered questions.