According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, forward Zach Hyman appears to be on his way out of the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason. According to LeBrun, there is a "significant gap" in negotiations between the two parties, and Hyman will most likely become a free agency later this month.
Leafs insider Kevin McGran reports that the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings are all in the mix to land Hyman.
''The Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers are believed to be the frontrunners in the Hyman sweepstakes with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings also making inquiries with Hyman's agent, Todd Reynolds.''
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.
