I've fallen in love with Zach Hyman

[Subway Schenn]

over the past couple years!

Always felt he was afforded special opportunity as one of Babs' boys (especially early on) - but he's made the most of every bit of that opportunity with crazy work ethic and a motor that never stops to become an integral part of the team. Another 20 goal season this year in only 51 games!


My favourite part - 28:00-29:30.

Fingers crossed he's a career Leaf

Click to read more...

 

[ACC1224]

Yep he’s always been a good soldier. I’m sure there are lots of past thoughts on him that have not aged well.

 

[waingr0]

I always thought Carrick gave the best interviews when he was on the team. Cool to see him starting a podcast.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I saw him first, he's mine!

 

[Stephen]

Glad to see he’s gotten the vindication he deserves after all those Babcock’s son comments over the years. He’s not a high end skill guy but as long as he’s healthy he’s going to keep advancing as a hockey player and is a fantastic glue guy. If we had 2x more of these guys I believe the work rate on this team would go through the roof.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

He's a completely different player than he used to be. His drive to improve himself and developmental curve was insane

 

[ottomaddox]

Was Hyman a Lou trade or a Nonis trade?

 

[zeke]

I was frustrated with him as while he always created chances but never finished, but dude has really worked on his finish and is no longer wasting all his chances in front. even some legit nifty plays from him now, on a semi-consistent basis.

it's also nice to have a coach who's a bit more flexible with his lines, so it no longer seems as if any guy is locked in a position without having to earn it.

 

[robertmac43]

Definitely one most enjoyable players on the team. Good guy on and off the ice!

 

[All Mod Cons]

Some couldn't see the trees for the forest for a few years.

 

[saltming]

Was Hyman a Lou trade or a Nonis trade?

I think that's irrelevant. Hyman requested Toronto and only Toronto.
He would have signed a a UFA here if they didn't make the trade.
That's unsubstantiated but I heard it from someone I trust that sent me pictures of hyman skating here before the trade.
He asked me if I knew who this was and told me that.

This is the closest thing I could find that's official, where it says humans father suggested that Hyman come play here

Maple Leafs trade Greg McKegg to Panthers for Zach Hyman

 

[saltming]

I saw him first, he's mine!

I will fight you for that

 

[BertCorbeau]

Was Hyman a Lou trade or a Nonis trade?

Neither. He was acquired in that Dubas-Hunter tandem in 2015.

 

[Maple Leaf]

If Hyman and Marner switched contracts, I wouldn't be mad

 

[saltming]

Zach Hyman appreciation thread

have a look back and see how much fun the name calling was

 

[ACC1224]

Zach Hyman appreciation thread

have a look back and see how much fun the name calling was

Lol, some beauties in there.
"good for a 4th line player"

 

[al secord]

Beaut. My brothers and i have the same stories. My older brothers would beat the crap out of me, on and off the ice. But heaven forbid an outsider even looked at me with anger, they'd be your worst nightmare.

 

[Joey Hoser]

So much easier to appreciate him without Babcock ramming him down your throat.

 

[saltming]

Lol, some beauties in there.
"good for a 4th line player"

Useless plug.
Wait until a good coach coaches the team and we will see him on the 4th line where he belongs

 

[ACC1224]

So much easier to appreciate him without Babcock ramming him down your throat.

Seems like he plays about the same minutes regardless of the coach.

 

[7even]

Improved isn't quite the right word. Refined maybe.

You appreciate him more the more you watch him. Dominant forechecker without throwing big hits, which I think works in his favour. Marner, Tavares, Matthews, Nylander, these guys thrive on turnovers and chaos. Hyman is physical, but he's always going for the puck, forcing turnovers and scrambles. You can't do that as well by decking someone because you take yourself out of the play too. I think that's really what powers his uncommon chemistry with the top 6 stars.

He doesn't win every board battle, but he sure doesn't lose them. He and Mikheyev are probably the only two genuinely underrated players on the Leafs.

 

[Stephen]

He's a completely different player than he used to be. His drive to improve himself and developmental curve was insane

I think his offensive touch got a little more refined and he’s a little more assertive physically from an aggressor point of view but he’s the same player he always was.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I think his offensive touch got a little more refined and he’s a little more assertive physically from an aggressor point of view but he’s the same player he always was.

he had 10 goals in 82 games as a rookie, and 21 in 51 this year. Pretty massive difference. He was arguably the worst finisher in hockey when he started out, and now it's a strength for him

 

[Bomber0104]

I think his offensive touch got a little more refined and he’s a little more assertive physically from an aggressor point of view but he’s the same player he always was.

Yup.

The only thing that's changed about Hyman is people's opinion of him.

He's reluctantly made a whole lot of people do a full 180 in that regard.

 

[Joey Hoser]

Seems like he plays about the same minutes regardless of the coach.

I wasn't just talking about minutes.

But I'm sure Hyman won't be taking faceoffs against Bergeron in the third period of game 7 when his leg doesn't work and he isn't even a center.