Maple Leafs Zach Hyman Hitting the Open Market

Contract talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Zach Hyman are not going well and according to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, Hyman is expected to hit the open market on July 28.

Subject to change, of course, but all signs pointing to pending UFA Zach Hyman heading to market July 28. Sizeable gap in positions with Leafs at the moment. Which was the expectation given his market value and Leafs' cap situation.@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 14, 2021

Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas was hoping Hyman would be open to taking a home-town discount to remain with the team but that appears to be off the table from Hyman's representatives. Last season the two-way forward recorded 33 points in 43 games, which spanning across an 82-game season would set him on pace to shatter his career high of 41 points. Hyman made $2.25 million in 2020-21 and is likely getting more than $5 million on the open market which is way too much for the cap crunched Maple Leafs to handle.

Subject to change, of course, but all signs pointing to pending UFA Zach Hyman heading to market July 28. Sizeable gap in positions with Leafs at the moment. Which was the expectation given his market value and Leafs' cap situation.@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 14, 2021

The list of teams interested is too long to draw out for Hyman, however a few teams are expected to heavily pursue the University of Michigan product. You can put the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings towards the top of the list with the Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators also very interested in his services. The competition will be thick come July 28, the Maple Leafs certainly have their work to do if they want Hyman back on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.