When Zach Hyman left the Toronto Maple Leafs to sign a seven-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers in 2021, it was met with skepticism primarily due to the term and Hyman’s age. Given that players sometimes see a deterioration in performance as they age, a long-term deal was viewed as dangerous at 29.
The worry was that Hyman might not play at a high level for the whole term of his deal, which would make it challenging for the Oilers to successfully manage their salary cap. General manager (GM) of the Maple Leafs Kyle Dubas hardly made an offer to Hyman, seemingly seeing the writing on the wall. When it came to that choice, the majority of hockey analysts would have agreed with Dubas.
Hyman’s Contract Was Viewed as Being Too Wealthy and Dangerous
Hyman’s history of injuries was yet another significant worry. His physical style of play rendered him more vulnerable to further ailments, and he had already undergone surgery for a serious knee injury. This made people question whether he would be able to play for the whole duration of the contract; they were afraid he would lose a lot of time because of injuries, which would further reduce the deal’s value.
In addition, it was unclear if Hyman’s $5.5 million average annual value (AAV) would be justified by his output. Despite his success with the Maple Leafs, some observers questioned if he could continue to produce at the same level or even more in Edmonton. The Oilers were accused by some of overpaying for Hyman.
Dubas Would Not Do What New GM Treliving Did
Brad Treliving, the general manager of the Maple Leafs, took a risk two weeks ago that Dubas, his predecessor, would not have. By giving defenseman Chris Tanev a six-year contract that will keep him playing until he is forty years old, he pushed the boundaries. This choice stands in stark contrast to Dubas’ method when it comes to a comparable choice involving Hyman.
Treliving’s assertive approach was made clear at an early stage when, prior to July 1, he obtained Tanev’s negotiation rights from the Dallas Stars. Tanev was then signed by the Maple Leafs to a six-year, $27 million contract, which would keep him in Toronto until his 40th birthday. There is no denying that Tanev, a seasoned defenseman who has scored 190 points in 792 regular-season games.