Zach Hyman turns down Maple Leafs’ first offer to return

When meeting with media members after the devastating first-round series playoff elimination at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman didn’t want to talk about his future : he was still digesting the loss. He did state that he would “of course” like to stay with the Leafs “if something made sense,” but reiterated he hasn’t thought about his contractual status much this season, especially in the playoffs.

Hyman has just ended the the final year of a four-year, $9 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 28. Everyone expects him to get a salary raise and the Maple Leafs have reportedly made him an offer already. One that Hyman has turned down.

“I heard a rumour, I don’t know how true it is, that Toronto offered Hyman $5M AAV and he said no.”

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston has reported that if Hyman tests the free agent market, rival teams “will take Hyman at close to $6M on a long term deal.”

Frank Seravalli on the DFO rundown:

"I heard a rumour, I don't know how true it is, that TOR offered Hyman $5M AAV and he said no"

Chris Johnston responding: Thinks other teams will take Hyman at close to $6M on a long term deal.
— J (@Account4hockey) June 4, 2021

deleting the zach hyman tweet. It was Jason Gregor, not Frank Seravalli (I picked out the wrong voice), who said he heard the rumour that Hyman turned down an offer of $5M AAV. Frank Seravalli and Hyman's agent have since said that rumour isn't true.
— J (@Account4hockey) June 4, 2021

We all saw how Hyman has been a key piece to Toronto’s top-six forward core in the past few seasons, able to keep up and get Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner going on the ice.

In 43 games with the Leafs this season, Hyman collected15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points.

The question is now : how much money can he collect on his next deal?