The 29-year-old forward is coming off a contract worth $2.25 million a season, and his next contract might be worth $5 million or more per season. General manager Kyle Dubas can't do it because of the Leafs' cap position.
With only ten forwards, five defensemen, and one goaltender contracted for next season, the Leafs have roughly $11 million in cap room. With that $11 million in cap space, they'll need to add at least seven players to their roster, and Hyman's asking price is simply too much for the Leafs to consider. As a result, the Leafs may lose a talented forward for the third straight summer due to cap concerns. So far, Andreas Johnsson, Kasperi Kapanen, and Connor Brown have all lost their caps, and it appears like Hyman may be next.
Hyman will be a versatile forward capable of playing anywhere in a team's lineup, no matter where he ends up. This season, he spent most of his time on the team's first line with superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, scoring 15 goals and 33 points in 43 games. He had 21 goals and 37 points in 51 games the previous season. He appears to be a player who will be able to reach the 50-point mark in the near future. He also has a strong 200-foot game and can be counted on to take on challenging defensive assignments. To put it another way, he's a coach's dream.
