Toronto Maple Leafs Record Is Unsustainable: Four Ways to Fix That

Zach Hyman

Everyone’s favorite grinder is not a top six winger.

Tavares and Marner  either have or almost have a negative shot differential at 5v5 (it’s around 50% so depending on their last game, it’s usually just above or just below), and if they had a left winger who was equal to their skill level, that probably wouldn’t be happening.   Hyman has worse shots-against numbers than either of his linemates.

Like everyone else, I’m a fan of Hyman’s.  I just don’t think he’s a good choice for a top six winger. Almost anyone can allow 34 shots per game, and almost anyone else would provide more offense. I like him, the coach likes him, but it’s been an entire lifetime of mediocrity in Toronto, so the Leafs are going to have to make tough calls, and sooner or later, one of those is going to be to demote Hyman.

I believe that the idea that two skilled players somehow need a grinder to get them the puck is one of the worst old-school hockey dogma narratives in existence.  Replace Hyman with Josh Leivo and watch the Leafs improve. Conversely, Hyman and Brown centred by Lindholm would probably be the best fourth line in hockey by six miles, so the Leafs win twice with this move.