Since the Maple Leafs' second consecutive first-round defeat in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the future of forward Zach Hyman has been a hot topic of conversation. Although there has been some little good news in recent days on that front, it now appears like those with their finger on the Leafs' pulse feel Hyman has likely played his final game with the team.
Jason Gregor mentioned that he had heard allegations that Hyman had turned down a new deal that would have paid him an average yearly value of $5 million per season. As an unrestricted free agent, National Hockey League expert Chris Johnston, who was a guest on the same podcast, stated, "I feel Hyman could receive upwards of that money on the open market."
Now to be clear that was merely a rumor and it is one that Hyman's own agent, Todd Reynolds, has since refuted as per Maple Leafs beat reporter Terry Koshan.
This is his big opportunity in his career (to get paid), and he knows that," a source said as per the Toronto Sun. "There's going to be no shortage of interest in him."
Unlike teammates like John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner, Hyman is not regarded as one of Toronto's top offensive weapons, but he is well-liked by the fans and, according to reports, by the organisation. He's a guy with a lot of heart and soul, and he's exactly the type of guy that Leafs president Brendan Shanahan hinted to when he said the team's roster lacked "killer instinct" during a post-season press conference this week.
