The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired University of Michigan forward Zach Hyman from the Florida Panthers on Friday. The trade includes a conditional 7th round draft pick for Toronto and sends Greg McKegg to Florida. Florida originally drafted Hyman in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
The #Leafs have acquired Zach Hyman & a conditional seventh round pick in 2017 from the @FlaPanthers in exchange for Greg McKegg. #TMLtalk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 19, 2015
Hyman was looking to make the move from the NCAA directly into the NHL next season and the Panthers said no. In Hyman, Toronto will continue to bolster their prospect depth. The 23-year-old forward posted 22 goals and 32 assists for the U of Michigan through just 37 games last season. That’s a significant increase over the 17 points he scored the season before through 35 games.
Hyman was a First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten last season, leading the Big Ten in points. He was also in the top ten in initial voting for the Hobey Baker, which eventually went to Jack Eichel.
Toronto will have until August 15 to sign Hyman. After that he’ll be a free agent.
In return, the Panthers get another 23-year-old forward in McKegg. He’s made his way into four NHL games for Toronto, though has been quite productive for AHL Toronto, posting 22 goals and 15 assists through 62 games last season.
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Update:
Ryan Kennedy at THN tweeted that Hyman is also a childrens book author. Full package, Toronto.
Fun fact about new Maple Leafs acquisition Zach Hyman: Along with putting up a lot of points on the ice, he's also a children's author
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) June 19, 2015
@dlukenelson No foolin' – http://t.co/mfxyBKa1hT
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) June 19, 2015