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2021 Toronto Maple Leafs Regular Season Forward Grades

By James Tanner

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 29: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets set to jump onto the ice against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 29, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 29: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets set to jump onto the ice against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 29, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Zach Hyman, Toronto Maple Leafs
Zach Hyman, Toronto Maple Leafs (Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports) /

Zach Hyman

Few players have ever lived up to they hype after being an overrated lunchpail grinder.

For years Hyman was the kind of non-skilled checker this market loves to overrate, but along the way he somehow morphed into a legitimate first line player.

He is now 29 and it would be stupid to sign him to a long-term contract extension, but it will still suck to watch him leave.

At 5v5 Hyman provided 99 percentile offense, and elite defense.  He scored at a 30 goal pace and it could be argued that his knee injury cost the Leafs a playoff round and a President’s Trophy.

He wasn’t great in the playoffs (probably still injured) and if there is anyway he could come back on a short-term deal, that would be fantastic.  It’s unlikely though. Hyman is only going to get one chance to cash in, and he would have to leave in excess of 20 million dollars on the table to come back.

Still, what a great guy, great player and a great season he had.

LW. . ZACH HYMAN. B+.

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