It isn't a story of legend:
-rich kid's dad buys hockey team then league then scouting service
-rich dad hated my many other hockey dads forced to pay ever-escalating fees
-rich kid gets drafted by NHL team owned by the same person who buys scouting service owned by dad
-rich kid plays at school heavily endowed by his dad
-rich kid is mostly invisible for his first two NCAA seasons almost looking out of place
-rich kid works hard on his skating, gets to play with the best talent at his school as a senior
-rich kid forces a trade from the team that drafted him to his hometown team
-rich kid is given an NHL number (11) before playing a single game
All that yet I've got to admit that this kid has played well. He looks like he can be a 3rd/4th liner this season.
I wouldn't be jumping the gun too quickly.
He's played 9 periods with the Leafs & in the first 5 I would say he looked lost. The final 4 have been pretty good, but it has been much more about skating with energy versus accomplishing much on the ice. In his defence, that's more than many others have done.
His skating has improved drastically over the last 4 years. For those that think because he is a good size, that he is a physical or tough player, he's not, so don't expect it. He considers himself a scorer, can he be at this level? I don't know yet, but I think he needs to go to the AHL for a proper assessment & to see if he can produce there first.
The rumour was that he wouldn't sign with the Panthers because they wouldn't guarantee a spot on their club. I can't imagine Babcock or Lamoriello accepting that kind of condition. There have been some on here who think Nylander & Brown should be on the Leafs now. I think they should start with the Marlies & I would put both of them well ahead of Hyman.
In the last 4 periods he has supplied some good energy, but I could do that too & I'm old & decrepit.