{"id":74548,"date":"2020-05-07T09:05:18","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T13:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=74548"},"modified":"2020-05-07T04:47:34","modified_gmt":"2020-05-07T08:47:34","slug":"toront-maple-leafs-zach-hyman-incredible-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/05\/07\/toront-maple-leafs-zach-hyman-incredible-value\/","title":{"rendered":"Zach Hyman Provides Incredible Value to Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> hockey club holds a special place in the hearts of \u201cTorontonians\u201d all around the world. If you\u2019re a hockey fan, chances are you\u2019ve heard of the Toronto Maple Leafs. When fans think of the Maple Leafs a few names come to mind.\u00a0 Mats Sundin<\/a><\/strong>,Doug Gilmour<\/a><\/strong>, Wendel Clark<\/a><\/strong>, Ted Kennedy<\/a><\/strong>,Frank Mahovlich<\/a><\/strong>, Borje Salming<\/a><\/strong>, and Dave Keon<\/a><\/strong>, to name a few. Most recently the likes of Auston Matthews<\/a><\/strong>, William Nylander<\/a><\/strong>, Mitch Marner<\/a><\/strong>, John Tavares<\/a><\/strong>, and Morgan Rielly<\/a><\/strong> typically steal the headlines. Who doesn’t usually pop up is <\/span>Zach Hyman<\/a><\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, over the past three-to-four years, the former fifth-round draft pick has proven his worth with the Maple Leafs. A rather quiet and reserved player, Hyman allows his on-ice performance shift after shift do the taking. Let\u2019s take a look at Hyman\u2019s career with the Leafs, his value to the team<\/a>, and just how long he can expect to play in Toronto.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zach Hyman Provides Terrific Value to Toronto<\/h2>\n

Path to the Pros<\/span><\/h3>\n

Every player in the National Hockey League has a backstory. For Zach Hyman, his began (ironically speaking) in Toronto, Ontario. As a youngster, Hyman suited up for the Hamilton Red Wings of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. After posting 102 points in his final season with the team, Hyman was off to Ann Arbor, Michigan to play for the Michigan Wolverines of the NCAA. Hyman played four seasons at Michigan, including a 22-goal, 54-point campaign in his final year which led the Big Ten. He was also named a Big Ten All-American and member of the Big Ten all-star team. Donning the iconic yellow and blue of Michigan, Hyman flourished as a reliable two-way forward with the majority of his work coming below the icing line. His relentless work ethic, rugged style of play and ability to score saw Zach Hyman was on full display each game.<\/span><\/p>\n

After four seasons, Hyman had put together an impressive collegiate career in the hockey hot-bed of Michigan. The question was…how would his success at the college level translate in the National Hockey League? Hyman\u2019s dream came true at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft when the Florida Panthers<\/a> selected him in the fifth round, 123rd overall. Despite the late draft choice, Hyman was determined to make a name for himself at the NHL level. That “name” came five years later when he was traded to his hometown club, the Toronto Maple Leafs. After spending a season with the Leafs\u2019 AHL affiliate club, the Toronto Marlies, Hyman received a call-up to the big club, and since then, has never looked back.<\/span><\/p>\n

An Unsung Hero on a Team Filled with Stars<\/span><\/h3>\n

When former Maple Leafs head coach, Mike Babcock referred to Hyman as \u201cthe best forechecker in hockey\u201d that proclamation may have raised a few collective eyebrows. What Hyman does on the ice is certainly unique and well-appreciated in Toronto. Hyman plays a strong, heavy game and loves to lean on the opposition. Much of his play is in great contrast to so many other forwards on the Maple Leafs who rely on speed, talent, and skill.<\/p>\n

Hyman provides a whole new element and outlook to Toronto\u2019s offense when he\u2019s on the ice. He can log big minutes, play in a top-six role, and provide grit. A north-south skater, Hyman is a fierce competitor who can engage and come out with the puck in one-on-one battles. He plays the right way and has made for himself at the NHL level. Not too shabby for a former fifth round draft pick. His approach to each shift and his ability to really dig deep, grind for, and retrieve loose pucks have formed a formidable partnership with Toronto\u2019s highly-skilled forward group.<\/a><\/p>\n

Hyman\u2019s \u201cdog on a bone\u201d mentality forms a close correlation with the likes of Pascal Dupuis<\/a><\/strong> and Chris Kunitz<\/a><\/strong> on Sidney Crosby<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s wings for the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a>. In that case, we saw two wingers with varying skill sets complement the brilliance of Crosby with the Penguins. Toronto fans are getting a similar glimpse of what Hyman can do as he lines up beside Tavares, Marner, and Matthews.<\/p>\n

Current Contract<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hyman is currently playing in the second-last year of his four-year, $9 million contract, earning him $2.25M per season. Hyman\u2019s cap-hit provides tremendous value in the grand scheme of things in Toronto when you look at his experience, on-ice intangibles, and statistical production in a top-six forward role. This season alone, despite missing the first six weeks as he recovered from knee surgery, Hyman has tallied 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in just 51 games. Prior to the halt of the NHL season, Hyman was well on his way to having the single-best season<\/a> (production-wise) with the Maple Leafs. In addition to arguably playing the best hockey of his career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next Contract<\/h3>\n

Hyman will be 29 by the time he\u2019s set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1, 2021, and is due for a pay increase<\/a>. Whether it\u2019s Sheldon Keefe<\/a><\/strong> or Mike Babcock<\/strong> before him, Hyman\u2019s been stapled to Toronto\u2019s top-six forward group. Hyman is an exceptional penalty killer and provides that \u201cbig-bodied\u201d, physical element that\u2019s greatly lacking on the Leafs. His ability to \u201ccheck\u201d multiple boxes makes him one of the most valuable all-around players in Toronto. Since breaking into Toronto\u2019s lineup on a full-time basis during the 2016-17 season, Hyman\u2019s point totals have continued to increase.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we move closer to July 1, 2021, look for Hyman’s contract to have a different outlook. Term-wise we can expect the range to be between three-to-five years. Dollarwise in the ballpark of anywhere between $4 and $5.3 million. Both the term and dollar amount are a fair ask for someone who wears his heart on his sleeve. Looking ahead in the future, Hyman is an integral part of the blue and white.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>