That might be challenging given how Zach Hyman has elevated his NHL career after leaving the Maple Leafs in the summer of 2021 and signing a seven-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
Hyman has played in 193 games with the Oilers prior to Tuesday night’s meeting between the Leafs and Oilers in Edmonton as Toronto began a four-game trip. Hyman finished with 89 goals and 90 assists for 179 points. Hyman scored 86 goals and has 99 assists for 185 points in 345 games with the Leafs.
Yes, practically any player’s totals would increase if they were on a line with Connor McDavid. Even still, it’s surprising that Hyman, who entered Tuesday with 26 goals and 16 assists in 38 games, has been as effective as he has been since moving to the west. And that’s without diminishing the fact that he has always approached the game with a work ethic that few of his NHL colleagues can match.
After the morning skate on Tuesday, McDavid told the reporters in Edmonton, “Not all free-agent signings work out, but Zach has been above and beyond anyone’s expectations, I would say, from the moment he got here.” “What he has done for our room and the leader and guy that he is, not only on the ice but also off it.
“His gameplay is self-explanatory. He’s had the most amazing year. In my view, he ought to have been an all-star; that is all.
We concur with that. If Hyman was selected to the Toronto All-Star Game in lieu of an injured player, we doubt many would argue.
The Leafs, who were unable to pay Hyman’s $5.5 million salary cap burden, are hurt by this since no one has ever been able to meet the standard he set while playing on the left wing alongside Auston Matthews. Michael Bunting performed well enough to be near enough to receive a large raise from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Pontus Holmberg was given the most recent version. Respectfully, though, he’s not Hyman.
Regarding Hyman, Matthews remarked, “He’s a guy who lives at the net, he’s one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever played with.” Additionally, it helps that he is playing alongside a rather skilled player there. However, he has the important ability to get open, work, and battle in front of the net and seize those opportunities.
