Toronto Maple Leafs: 2017-18 Forward Grades

Zach Hyman

Zach Hyman is probably one of the most underrated hockey players in the game. Few people seem to get why a coach like Mike Babcock absolutely love this guy and the game he plays. Almost everyone seems frustrated seeing Hyman on a line with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, deeming him unworthy in their minds.

Hyman may be less talented than his linemates, but he makes up for that in work ethic. He is always in service of his linemates. Should the puck rip through the netting, Hyman will be between the fans trying to dig that puck out. Hyman finished the year with 15 goals and 40 points.  This is quite an improvement over last year.

Even if Zach Hyman would only total half his point production this year, he would still be doing good. Hyman is not on the Auston Matthews line to gather points, Nylander is. Hyman is on that line to grind along the boards so Matthews and Nylander have the puck. Players like Matthews and Nylander absolutely love a guy like that, because he always gets the puck for them.

That said, he finished the year with a CF% below 50 and doesn’t provide first line offense. He does, however, seem to do what is advertised:  Both Matthews and Nylander have better possession numbers with Hyman than without him.

Besides being a sidekick to his linemates, Hyman is a very trustworthy penalty killer. From the average ice time per game of 17:20 per game, he plays an average of 2:36 on the penalty kill per game. It may not seem like much, but complimentary players like Hyman are worth his weight in gold.

– Wilbert Timmermans