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3 Most Important Lou Lamoriello Signings as the Toronto Maple Leafs G.M.

By Stephen Nixon

BUFFALO, NY - JUNE 25: Lou Lamoriello of the Toronto Maple Leafs attends the 2016 NHL Draft on June 25, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JUNE 25: Lou Lamoriello of the Toronto Maple Leafs attends the 2016 NHL Draft on June 25, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 11: Zach Hyman #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 11: Zach Hyman #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#3. Zach Hyman Extension

Contract Details: Four-Year $9 Million Contract ($2.25 million cap hit per season)

When Lamoriello made this deal, Hyman had only played one full NHL season, so he took a chance by giving him a four-year deal.

At the time, it may have felt a little rich and a little long, but that changed quickly.

To compare his salary per season to the rest of the NHL, he makes the exact same per season as former Leaf Matt Hunwick, who is a bottom-pairing defenseman at his best.

That contract is an absolute steal and one of the best in the entire league.

Since signing that contract, Hyman’s career has taken off. After scoring 15 goals in 2017-18, he finished with 21 goals in 2018-19 and was on-pace for 34 goals if he played a full 82-game regular season this year.

A player who scores 20-30 goals each year consistently is worth way more than $2.25 million per season. Also, not to mention that Hyman is one of the best penalty-killers on the Leafs and is the hardest working player on the ice every night.

There’s a real argument that Hyman’s contract should be doubled, at a minimum.

At this rate, Hyman could be on-pace to have similar numbers as someone like James Van Riemsdyk, and he’s making $7 million per season, so the Leafs should be lucky that Lamoriello got the deal done when he did.

Hyman only has one-year left on his current contract, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens next year, but Leaf fans should be very thankful that Lamoriello was able to look into a crystal-ball and lock Hyman up for four years at such a low cost.

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