Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Grades 2019-20 Regular Season

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/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)

Zach Hyman

Zach Hyman scored 21 goals in 51 games, and was on pace to smash his career high in goals and points.

Hyman missed quite a bit of time to start the season, but played out-of-his-mind upon returning.

Hyman scored 1.83 P/60 which is just under first-line offensive production, and considering expectations, quite astounding.

Hyman was better than 91% of NHL players at 5v5 offense this year, and while he doesn’t provide much defensive value at even-strength (better than just 14% of players) he absolutely crushes it on the penalty kill, where he is better than 92%  (Just to reiterate, this information comes from the @jfresh players cards, which I highly recommenced).

Hyman was worth 2 WAR and over $6 million dollars, despite being payed just $2 million.  I don’t know if the Toronto Maple Leafs can afford to re-sign him, or if they even should (he’s approaching 30), but while he is here is providing amazing value against his cap hit, and has really elevated himself about his third line lunchpail-type reputation.

I used to think Hyman was a bit overrated, and that he was perfect trade bait.  I never thought he’d be a Leaf this long, and I have never been so happy to have been proven wrong about anything.