Why a Zach Hyman - Toronto extension, isn't a closed door, and may still even be likely.

[MapleLeafs9]

Hyman can take his $5.5 and f*** off.

Him making a dollar more than Toffoli is a joke, let alone RNH. Tired of the obsession of hard hat, lunch pale, work boots grinders by league GM's and them getting paid as much or more than actual skillful, impactful players. He's gonna get his overpayment from Burke or Benning in a few weeks. Hyman can go.

 

[hockeywiz542]

NHL Rumour Roundup: Hyman, Maple Leafs 'far apart' in negotiations - Sportsnet.ca

The most consequential decision will be around Zach Hyman, a top-line forward next to Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, but who also fits with any other line. Hyman is coming off a value contract at $2.25 million and has had back-to-back career-best years by points per game (0.725 and 0.77 in 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively).

Toronto currently sits with an estimated $10.8 million in cap space, with 10 forwards, five defencemen and one goalie signed. Travis Dermott is an RFA in need of a contract, though he could be a target for expansion Seattle if left unprotected. Alex Kerfoot may be as well, and shedding his $3.5 million cap hit would certainly change Toronto’s outlook.

But on the open market, it’s estimated that Hyman could get an AAV of at least $5 million, if not more.

Barring a hometown discount or a change in direction of negotiations, Hyman seems in line to be a UFA.

“Sounds like he’s testing the market,” Elliotte Friedman told the FAN 960’s The Big Show. “I heard they were significantly far apart.”

There is still time for the situation to change, however. If Hyman were to sign before the expansion draft on July 21 he would need to be protected along with Matthews, Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares, which would mean Toronto could only protect three defencemen. As long as Hyman is without a contract he doesn’t need a protection slot and Toronto has room to shield four defencemen. They could still sign him after Seattle picks its team and before the opening of free agency.

But unless the Maple Leafs make a separate trade that moves some money out, it’ll be difficult for them to both keep Hyman at a competitive salary and shake up the roster.

 

[Muston Atthews]

Bring back the game! Would love another first round exit

 

[Griffin76]

4.5 x 6. He doubles his previous AAV. Front load, bonuses or whatever to make it easier to move him or buy out if it gets to that point in the last couple of years. Do it before FA day when some dumbass GM offers him the infamous 6x6. (Lucic, Ladd, Backes.....)

I think all the tire pumping everyone was doing earlier in the year went to his head and has also driven up his price. He's a complimentary piece in the top 6 but probably one of the best 3rd liners in the league. In the top 6 he can't have the puck on his stick. On the 3rd line he can drive that line.

 

[TheGreatOne11]

I'd rather lose Hyman and give minutes to a young gun like Robertson or Brooks, and use the Hyman money to gun for Hamilton personally.

 

[Gabriel426]

Hyman is not worth 4mil or more. He is not Tom Wilson, have not won anything and he is just not that good.
3.75mil for 8 years.

 

[34]

is Hyman better than RNH ?

RNH is the biggest bust in the NHL. He sucks, straight up.

I really hope that idiot Dubas finds a way to get Hyman signed to a “reasonable” contract!

 

[socko]

Hyman is not worth 4mil or more. He is not Tom Wilson, have not won anything and he is just not that good.
3.75mil for 8 years.

Are you using the extra years to lower the cap hit? You don't really think Hyman will be a NHL player 8 years from now?

 

[justashadowof]

Why isn't playoff performance in the discussion when it comes to contract negotiations? In the end, that's what the real goal of any season really is. I love the way Hyman plays hard throughout the regular season. But he plays so hard that it appears he doesn't have another gear that he uses in the playoffs. As someone said, every player gives regular season Zach Hyman effort in the playoffs. You don't overpay for regular season hustle.

 

[Leafsfan74]

The Arvidsson trade to the Kings today illustrates just how valuable Cap space is. Nashville only gets a 2nd and a 3rd for a guy who has seen his production slip, but who could be a gem at $4.25M a year if he gets back to 30 goals.

I have to believe that it's still a buyers market, simply due to the flat Cap economics of the league. I am willing to bet that you could inspect the contracts of the top 20 paid players in the league today and none of them would receive the same contract offer in 2021.

This is why, Hyman might be able to find a suitor at $5M a year, but, I can't see it being a long line. It has to be the right situation for a team to make that offer. I don't see Leafs being in that situation.

 

[Gabriel426]

Are you using the extra years to lower the cap hit? You don't really think Hyman will be a NHL player 8 years from now?

Honestly, I don’t think Hyman is worth more than 4, but the terms Is lure for him to sign and show him the Leafs want him to retire. Yes, I expected to Hyman Island him toward the end.

 

[TheProspector]

Anything over $4m, and you walk IMO.

It's absolutely true that Zach Hyman's value on the free market is higher. The difference being: none of the teams that will pay him substantially more than that will be teams capable of winning.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Hyman will be the straw that breaks Dumbasses back. You can't count on hometown discounts.

 

[francis246]

RNH is the biggest bust in the NHL. He sucks, straight up.

I really hope that idiot Dubas finds a way to get Hyman signed to a “reasonable” contract!

what? Simply not true at all and he’s better than Hyman

 

[WilliamInLondon]

I'm a big fan of Hyman's game, but I'm also a big believer that he will not age well.

If I'm Dubas, I'm going with a final offer for 4 x $3.75M AAV. I'm almost certain someone will offer closer to 6 x $5M and if I were Dubas, I'd tell Hyman to take it and to wish him all the best.

 

[Trapper]

RNH is the biggest bust in the NHL. He sucks, straight up.

I really hope that idiot Dubas finds a way to get Hyman signed to a “reasonable” contract!

Career to date:

RNH - .73 PPG
Best season to date 69 points

William Nylander - .73 PPG
Best season to date 61 points

 

[613Leafer]

I'm a big fan of Hyman's game, but I'm also a big believer that he will not age well.

If I'm Dubas, I'm going with a final offer for 4 x $3.75M AAV. I'm almost certain someone will offer closer to 6 x $5M and if I were Dubas, I'd tell Hyman to take it and to wish him all the best.

Low to medium skilled hard working grinder types often take a nose dive in play around age 30. A few Leafs examples... Bolland, Armstrong, Foligno, Clarkson, Simmonds, etc. Foligno and Simmonds are the only ones who were still playing at a half-decent level past 30, but still well below their late 20s.

Their bodies take more of a beating, and they don't have the skill/skating to fall back on.

 

[ToneDog]

I'm a big fan of Hyman's game, but I'm also a big believer that he will not age well.

If I'm Dubas, I'm going with a final offer for 4 x $3.75M AAV. I'm almost certain someone will offer closer to 6 x $5M and if I were Dubas, I'd tell Hyman to take it and to wish him all the best.

If teams are offering 5-6, you gotta give him more term 6x4m is the highest I would go. Honestly I am at the point where I let him walk if I can sign Goodrow and Haula/Janmark for $5m.

 

[Pi]

This is a big test for Dubas, if he signs Hyman at anything short of a discount, fire him.

I like Hyman but he's a player that has done shit all in the playoffs too. I don't care if he's good at digging out pucks, it still isn't translating to assists which he should have a lot more of if he's getting the puck to Matthews.

 

[ToneDog]

This is a big test for Dubas, if he signs Hyman at anything short of a discount, fire him.

I like Hyman but he's a player that has done shit all in the playoffs too. I don't care if he's good at digging out pucks, it still isn't translating to assists which he should have a lot more of if he's getting the puck to Matthews.

He won't get fired because his boss most likely is on board but it could be another nail in the coffin if they miss the playoffs. I would say lose in round #1 but is there a worse way to lose a series that this team haven't already done ??

 

[Pi]

He won't get fired because his boss most likely is on board but it could be another nail in the coffin if they miss the playoffs. I would say lose in round #1 but is there a worse way to lose a series that this team haven't already done ??

Yeah, there is lots of room for improvement on that end.

Have three consecutive shutout wins and then lose 4 straight . It can always get worse.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Zach was a great warrior for us .. it is sad to see him go .. but Mitch really screwed over this team with his contract given league CAP .. but you can't blame da players even Mitch you have to blame mgmt/league .. Zach has put himself in this position through hard work and a resourceful family .. and if teams want to give him 5.5M per then so be it .. that is da open market .. any of us would do da same thing .. bottom line we need 4 Hyman/Goodrow/Coleman type players to have a chance (2 on top 2 lines and 2 on 3rd line) and a couple more big nasty Dmen .. I can't see it given CAP and our position today .. that is why I think it can only be fixed by trading Mitch

 

[ottomaddox]

"Limited salary-cap space could spell the end of Zach Hyman's tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The versatile, energetic two-way forward is coming off a four-year, $9 million contract and could seek more than $5 million annually on his next deal. With $69.7 million invested in 15 players for next season, Toronto won't be able to afford that without shedding a significant salary.
Hyman, 29, could be targeted by playoff contenders seeking a top-six forward with his blend of grit and scoring. However, the Toronto native could also be drawn to teams closer to his hometown. That could make the Detroit Red Wings a potential destination.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is among the most respected executives in the league. He's attempting to replicate his success with the Tampa Bay Lightning and could sell Hyman on playing a key role with his rebuilding club. Wings captain Dylan Larkin is also an old friend of Hyman's from their college playing days and could pitch him on a reunion in the Motor City.
Yzerman has invested in short-term deals for veteran free agents in recent years. Perhaps he will make an exception for Hyman if he feels his club is ready to take the next step. With a projected $48 million in cap space, the Wings GM can afford to outbid most teams for Hyman's services."

Dark-Horse Destinations for Top 2021 NHL Free Agents

 

[ShaneFalco]

Same old story

 

[WilliamInLondon]

If teams are offering 5-6, you gotta give him more term 6x4m is the highest I would go. Honestly I am at the point where I let him walk if I can sign Goodrow and Haula/Janmark for $5m.

agreed, more term is the only way....maybe this will be less of an issue if the cap goes up. but $4M for what is a 35 year old grinder/power forward. would you do it?

In the current cap situation, it's a hells no. A extra 1-1.5M gets you a quality defenceman like Brodie or Muzzin. If the cap goes up by 15-20% from today within 6 years time, then this is digestible