Zach Hyman made it clear he had 鈥渃losed the door鈥 on his Maple Leafs career and embraced a new start with the Edmonton Oilers. He also made it clear with the art that hung behind him during a Zoom call Wednesday.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 Wayne Gretzky, as you can see,鈥 Hyman said after agreeing to a seven-year, $38.5-million (U.S.) deal with the Oilers. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an Andy Warhol copy, it was something that I liked and I got it awhile ago. My uncle gave it to me, and it is a nice gift.鈥
Hyman had several reasons for joining Edmonton after six seasons in Toronto, including the fit he felt with the team and the city, and the chance for his wife, Alannah, their seventh-month old son, Theo, and their new Husky pup, Lady, to build a new life.
The two-way winger, who likely will play on a line with Connor McDavid, was one of four Leafs to become former Leafs on the opening day of NHL free agency. Also gone are: defenceman Zach Bogosian, who agreed to a three-year, $2.4-million deal to rejoin Tampa Bay, with whom he won a Stanley Cup two seasons ago; goaltender Frederik Andersen, who agreed to a two-year, $9-million deal with Carolina; and forward Nick Foligno, who is joining the Bruins on a two-year, $7.6-million deal.
Hyman, though, was the key loss, a fan favourite and hometown winger who developed into one of the NHL鈥檚 elite forecheckers through sheer hard work. He spent most of the last two seasons on the Leafs鈥 top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to be counting on the continued growth of our players and then potentially putting Alex Kerfoot on the (top line) as needed,鈥 Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said, adding free-agent forward Michael Bunting, who agreed to a two-year, $1.9-million deal with Toronto, will also have an opportunity to fill Hyman鈥檚 role.
鈥(Kerfoot) has shown that ability and it鈥檚 been an asset for us. We took a shot on Michael Bunting, too.鈥
The Leafs couldn鈥檛 match Hyman鈥檚 new deal in Edmonton with just $9.3 million in cap space. 海角社区官网added eight players Wednesday, and Dubas will double back on unsigned free agents over the next few days.
There鈥檚 a new world waiting for Hyman in Edmonton.
鈥淚 had a conversation with (Dubas) to really get a hold of the situation,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 had to know that I was leaving Toronto, and I was able to make a decision, and Edmonton was always at the forefront.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of parallels between Edmonton and 海角社区官网... we had great teams but we didn鈥檛 have success. Edmonton is positioned to make a long run at the Cup and that鈥檚 everyone鈥檚 goal. That鈥檚 the reason I chose to come and play here. I believe in this team, I played this team a bunch last year, I believe in the players they have, and I believe I can be a good addition to it.鈥
Hyman, who had 57 goals in 165 games the last three seasons, is excited at the prospect of playing with McDavid. The two have spoken several times and Hyman has already joined McDavid and Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse in workouts.
鈥淭hose two players, having played against them a lot, you realize how special they are and how they can change a game. Having that opportunity to play with them is another reason I chose Edmonton.鈥
Hyman said he visited Edmonton with his wife to not only meet Oilers management and tour their facilities but to view potential 鈥渘eighbourhoods where we could potentially live. We have a seven-month-old son, and it was important for us to see where he could potentially grow up.鈥
Hyman said he will post a thank you to the Leafs organization and the city after a six-year run.
鈥淚 think any time you leave a place you鈥檝e been for a long time, its going to be emotional,鈥 Hyman said. 鈥淣ot just from a hockey standpoint but from a people standpoint. I made such strong relationships not with just the players but the strength coaches, athletic therapist, the equipment managers 鈥 those guys really round out a team. I鈥檓 a guy who stays in the city all year long and works out year long, so I felt really strong relationships with those guys.
鈥淪o, from a player鈥檚 standpoint, you are a family 鈥 but change is inevitable. When I say (it has been) an emotional roller coaster, it鈥檚 not being able to see those people. But once that kind of sunk in, that I was on the move, it was exciting.鈥
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