The Toronto Maple Leafs may need to replace Zach Hyman next season if he requests too much money.
Zach Hyman has been a valued member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but unfortunately, the team is way too committed to four forwards making a combined $40M. Instead of spreading the wealth to hard-workers like Hyman who can score 20 goals per year, the team is all-in with their four superstars.
Having superstars is incredibly important when it comes to winning a Stanley Cup, but would you rather have three Zach Hyman’s or one Mitch Marner? That’s the question the Toronto Maple Leafs have to ask themselves, as they get set to potentially go without Hyman next year.
Although giving Hyman a contract worth $4-5M per year would be fair compensation for his work, it’s probably too rich for Toronto. The team would be in a better spot spending that money on their depth, instead of an aging forward, who may have played his best hockey already.
The Leafs have two duo’s who should be able to carry a line with a $750K type of player on the other wing. The duo of John Tavares and William Nylander, as well as, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner should be able to make any player they play with a reliable player, similar to how Matthews has done that with Hyman for these few years.
As a result, as much as the loss of Hyman will be tough to swallow, if he does end up leaving, the team should be able to carry on with the following players.
Let’s look at three players who could replace Hyman next year beside Matthews and Marner.