Can we thank Babcock for Hyman?

[Not My Tempo]

Dubas was Zach Hyman's personal advisor at The University of Michigan and the first trade he made as Leafs GM.

Dubas used to watch Zach play in Hamilton for The Hamilton Red Wings many years ago as his advisor.
His acquisition was 100% Dubas.

Trade: Panthers Send Hyman to Maple Leafs for McKegg | NHL Rumors



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I don’t really feel like looking for the quote, but when Dubas was the Marlies GM during the tank season, someone asked him who he thought was the most underrated player on the Marlies. He didn’t say Nylander, Kapanen, Brown, or any of the other guys putting up points. He said Hyman. Dubas has always known just how good of a player Hyman was.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Hyman has turned into a true warrior and legit key piece of the team. Nobody works harder than him

I remember reading about how it was Babcock that saw him play at Michigan while scouting Larkin way back with Detroit and he was very keen on having him on the Leafs once he started here

Anyone know if that’s true ?

I am very happy to see Hyman continue to develop and there is no reason why he cannot continue to get even better.

Yes this is 100% true ... Zach is one of 1st manufactured hockey players to actually make it to NHL ... NO one makes it without hard work but Zach likely worked harder than ANYONE else I know who has made it ... now da truth is he would not have made it without his dad and mom ... Stuey is a good friend of mine ... all deals, all skating classes and skills instructors ran thru Stuey at Forest Hill arena ... our kids were on ice quite a few times but Zach EVERY day ... like I said i have not seen any kid EVER work as hard as Zach to work on his technique ... and I have never seen any mom or dad EVER fund and take him to training like they did ... and I am talking many hundreds of thousands of $$$ ... I challenge anyone anywhere who did more ... no one liked Stuey because he made a boatload of $$$ in real estate and owning teams like Red Wings ... he bought team from Jack RIP buddy ... even though I never played for Jack or my kids we always shared a smile many a Friday at Chesswood

 

[Caroline Says ll]

I just want to preface this by saying I am very critical of Babcock.

Absolutely not. Just look at how much better Hyman looks this year compared to the previous years under Babcock. Hyman always had the drive, the cycle game and the forcheck well before Babcock.

I could write numerous paragraphs filled with unneccesary anger at the problems with Babcock's coaching, instructions and deployment.

In the end I have a question, does any player look worse playing with Keefe then they did with Babcock? My only vote it maybe Dermott.

 

[willmma]

I remember people were getting mad when Babcock kept playing Hyman on the first line with Matthews. IIRC he used to say Hyman "gets the puck" to Matthews.

Babcock saw Hyman's value and played him well. So credit is due.

Just like we can blame Babcock for not playing Holl, we should credit him for playing Hyman.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Babcock’s faith in Hyman makes his treatment of Holl all the more perplexing and a surer sign that he was being insubordinate.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Yes this is 100% true ... Zach is one of 1st manufactured hockey players to actually make it to NHL ... NO one makes it without hard work but Zach likely worked harder than ANYONE else I know who has made it ... now da truth is he would not have made it without his dad and mom ... Stuey is a good friend of mine ... all deals, all skating classes and skills instructors ran thru Stuey at Forest Hill arena ... our kids were on ice quite a few times but Zach EVERY day ... like I said i have not seen any kid EVER work as hard as Zach to work on his technique ... and I have never seen any mom or dad EVER fund and take him to training like they did ... and I am talking many hundreds of thousands of $$$ ... I challenge anyone anywhere who did more ... no one liked Stuey because he made a boatload of $$$ in real estate and owning teams like Red Wings ... he bought team from Jack RIP buddy ... even though I never played for Jack or my kids we always shared a smile many a Friday at Chesswood

 

[The Iceman]

I have heard Babs quoted as saying Hyman is the best forechecker in the league. Props to Babs.

Hyman's further development this season may be credited to new assistant coach Malhotra who parks Zach on the PP as net front presence. He is good at this and getting better.
Simmonds is our #1 guy there IMO. Best Leaf net front since JVR and Andreychuck.

 

[93LEAFS]

Yes this is 100% true ... Zach is one of 1st manufactured hockey players to actually make it to NHL ... NO one makes it without hard work but Zach likely worked harder than ANYONE else I know who has made it ... now da truth is he would not have made it without his dad and mom ... Stuey is a good friend of mine ... all deals, all skating classes and skills instructors ran thru Stuey at Forest Hill arena ... our kids were on ice quite a few times but Zach EVERY day ... like I said i have not seen any kid EVER work as hard as Zach to work on his technique ... and I have never seen any mom or dad EVER fund and take him to training like they did ... and I am talking many hundreds of thousands of $$$ ... I challenge anyone anywhere who did more ... no one liked Stuey because he made a boatload of $$$ in real estate and owning teams like Red Wings ... he bought team from Jack RIP buddy ... even though I never played for Jack or my kids we always shared a smile many a Friday at Chesswood

Private ice-time at NT across from Burger Shack after school. Other kids have had crazy amounts spent on their private development (I've heard in the hundreds of thousands for both McDavid and Marner, but obviously, they had more natural talent to fall back on).

People didn't like Stu because he was basically implementing monopolistic practices with amateur hockey organizations within the GTA. Even people around the GTHL who don't like Stuart Hyman, still have an abundance of respect for what Zach has been able to make out of his skill level.

 

[Buds17]

I'd say so. Beyond that, thank Dubas for the trade and both coaches for understanding how to utilize him.

 

[Buds17]

Babcock’s faith in Hyman makes his treatment of Holl all the more perplexing and a surer sign that he was being insubordinate.

I still think Babcock was going to be on the shortest leash once Keefe was hired for the Marlies and especially when Dubas was named GM though. I never questioned Hyman's place in the lineup. I was definitely wrong regarding Holl.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Because it was Kyle Dubas who traded for Hyman's rights he gets 100% of the credit as to why he's currently a Toronto Maple Leaf.

I will say Babcock deserves the credit for keeping Hyman on Matthews line in his their rookie seasons, however that doesn't excuse the other coaching mistakes he made.

 

[Leafsfan74]

I do recall many of the talking heads in sports media being critical of Hyman playing with Matthews.

It wasn't all Babcock, but he did put the line together.

As it were, Hyman grew into his role in the league and is now interchangeable as the team requires.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Yes this is 100% true ... Zach is one of 1st manufactured hockey players to actually make it to NHL ... NO one makes it without hard work but Zach likely worked harder than ANYONE else I know who has made it ... now da truth is he would not have made it without his dad and mom ... Stuey is a good friend of mine ... all deals, all skating classes and skills instructors ran thru Stuey at Forest Hill arena ... our kids were on ice quite a few times but Zach EVERY day ... like I said i have not seen any kid EVER work as hard as Zach to work on his technique ... and I have never seen any mom or dad EVER fund and take him to training like they did ... and I am talking many hundreds of thousands of $$$ ... I challenge anyone anywhere who did more ... no one liked Stuey because he made a boatload of $$$ in real estate and owning teams like Red Wings ... he bought team from Jack RIP buddy ... even though I never played for Jack or my kids we always shared a smile many a Friday at Chesswood

It's actually rather impressive that he became such a hard worker despite being perhaps the best example of a bought & paid for hockey career. Most people work far less hard and become complacent when opportunities are prevalent.

 

[A1LeafNation]

I don’t really feel like looking for the quote, but when Dubas was the Marlies GM during the tank season, someone asked him who he thought was the most underrated player on the Marlies. He didn’t say Nylander, Kapanen, Brown, or any of the other guys putting up points. He said Hyman. Dubas has always known just how good of a player Hyman was.

Hyman and Holl. That was Dubas and Keefe's answer, when asked separately.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Both Dubas and Babcock deserve credit.

Dubas for finding him and Babs for letting him develop.

Let's be honest, Babs took a lot of heat from most of us for putting Hyman on that top line. But he stuck to his guns and it was the right decision for the long-term. If we can rag on him for other bad decisions (i.e. refusing to pair Matthews-Marner, keeping Holl out) then he deserves credit here too.

 

[Big Muddy]

I get so confused. Aren't we supposed to dis everything that Babcock did? Somebody please tell me what to think so we can be enraged about something.

 

[saltming]

"I have always bet on Mike Babcock, I’ll continue to bet on him" ~Mike Babcock

The credit goes to Hyman himself. This guy doesn't have natural skill that would get him in the league. He's worked his bag off for everything he has earned.

I know what you are saying when it comes to credit to the guy who "found" him. But he was drafted by the Panthers, lets give them credit, and also give them their lashings for giving him up for Greg McKegg (If memory serves correct)

Only thing Mike Babcock deserves is EI

I agree with you except that his skating is exceptional in the speed and acceleration department. That is a skill that not all possess. It can only be developed to a certain point

 

[Fogelhund]

Toronto Maple Leafs Rumors: Zach Hyman/Kyle Dubas Reunion?

23. A couple more NCAA notes: Michigan senior forward Zach Hyman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Aug. 16 if not signed by the team that drafted him, Florida. In a bit of a surprise, it sure sounds like he will test the market rather than go directly to the Panthers. In some way, Florida should take that as a compliment because they have so many prospects that the route for young players is now tougher.
You always look for relationships, too. This is purely a guess, but Hyman is from Toronto and his previous “advisor” (no agents in the NCAA, wink, wink) was Kyle Dubas. I could be overthinking it, but what the heck.

 

[Menzinger]

Both Dubas and Babcock deserve credit.

Dubas for finding him and Babs for letting him develop.

Let's be honest, Babs took a lot of heat from most of us for putting Hyman on that top line. But he stuck to his guns and it was the right decision for the long-term. If we can rag on him for other bad decisions (i.e. refusing to pair Matthews-Marner, keeping Holl out) then he deserves credit here too.

Yep.

Dubas obviously the guy to bring him into the organization. But Babs definitely wasted no time identifying him as an important player. Credit where credit is due to both guys.

Id say my opinion has certainly evolved on Hyman. At first I didn't realize how useful of a player he would be become

 

[Carltons Cup]

Hyman is a Gud Pro

 

[Cleetus]

I like Hyman!

 

[7even]

POV: you're a defender and see Zach Hyman get the puck 5on6

 

[nuck]

Yeah sort of. Remember all the shit about "Babcock's son" because that was the only reason why a completely unproductive guy could be glued to their best offensive player for as long as he was? Hyman is responsible for Hyman but I don't know that he would have got that sustained top 6 opportunity with any other club. I had a boss that gave me a chance and stuck with me once. Its great when it happens. I imagine Zach would acknowledge that.

 

[Stephen]

Zach Hyman was a hated player for the first couple of years and his nickname was "Babcock's Son."

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2017...egren-carl-grundstroms-standout-showing-camp/

Would you ever consider replacing Zach Hyman with Marleau on that line at 5 on 5?
Babcock: I’m not dumb. That’s what I read, that you guys want [that]. This is what I’m going to do: I’m going to coach the time, and you guys are going to write the articles. Hyman is a guy who gets the puck back all the time. When you’re a good player — I’ve learned from good players — they like to have the puck. When you have three guys who want the puck… Datsyuk used to tell me all the time, “No, put him on somebody else’s line. I want somebody to get me the puck.” He gets the puck back better than anyone. So, whatever. That’s it for that.

And of course Babcock deserves some credit for bringing Hyman along. His time in Toronto is over now and his legacy is tarnished by some of the villainous things he did, but just take a look at the teams that were at the bottom with Toronto like Arizona, Buffalo, Edmonton and see how many have managed to climb out of the basement as quickly and permanently as the Leafs have.

 

[hamzarocks]

Babcock deserves full credit for helping Hyman develop.

He also did good work with Rielly, Gardiner, and Kadri

Frankly Babcock was a good coach until 2019 year start where he didnt start utilizing our 4 elite offensive players as they were ready to form chemistry and play to their skills. He was playing nylander down the lineup for no reason which hurt his ability to move up the lineup and produce in the 2019 series versus the Bruins

His decison to have the AJ-Matthews-Kap line stick together in the 2019 playoffs was bad with JT/Marner/Hyman not being able to produce 5v5 (though they shut down the Bruins top line).

He should have ran

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
AJ-JT-nylander
Kap-Moore-Brown

As the top 9 from game 2 onwards with Kadri getting suspended.

The top 2 lines getting 21 minutes and the third line getting 14 minutes with 4th line sparsely used