The Toronto Maple Leafs and general manager Kyle Dubas have it pretty tough this offseason. They need to make some changes and once again they don't have much cap room to work with. Unfortunately to be able to accomplish those changes, it seems that they'll have to let one of their key pieces walk in free agency. Leafs' insider James Mirtle reports that even though he's previously been optimistic, the writing is on the wall and forward Zach Hyman has played his final game in a Leafs' uniform. "Multiple sources said they didn't believe any talks of substance had happened, going back months. No progress was made on extension talk at any point, really, going back to when Hyman first became eligible for a new deal last year."
There's just too many holes to fill and the Leafs won't be able to match the $6million plus AAV Hyman will get on the open market. Instead Mirtle writes that the Leafs will use that cap space along with whatever they gain from possible losing Alex Kerfoot to Seattle to revamp their roster. "My understanding at the moment is the Leafs are thinking about their options for what could be possible with that space. If they don't re-sign Hyman and lose Alex Kerfoot to Seattle in the expansion draft, they will have almost $15 million in cap room to reallocate between now and the start of next season.That's with seven forwards, six NHL defencemen and a goaltender (Jack Campbell) signed.Of course, they'll have some pretty big holes: first-line winger, second-line winger, third-line centre, a few depth forwards and a second goaltender. Filling all of that for $15 million — and not taking a step back, talent-wise — won't be easy in free agency."Do you think Hyman has played his final game with the Leafs?
