Interesting move from the Maple Leafs on Friday, as they acquired the rights to University of Michigan standout forward Zach Hyman from Florida in exchange for center Greg McKegg.
The Leafs will also receive conditional 7th round pick in 2017 from the Panthers.
Hyman, taken by Florida in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, led the Wolverines in scoring this year with 54 points in 37 games, and finished as a Hobey Baker finalist.
In April, news broke of his intention not to sign with the Panthers.
A Toronto native, it remains to be seen if Hyman will ink with the Maple Leafs or hold out for unrestricted free agency. An earlier report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggested both Detroit and San Jose were interested in his services -- which could explain why Toronto got a head start by acquiring Hyman’s rights -- and it’ll be interesting to see if Toronto can now persuade the 23-year-old to sign.