Can the Oilers find a way to snag free-agent Hyman?

There's a reason why the Edmonton Oilers want Zach Hyman.

He was the most noticeable Toronto player every game for the Maple Leafs when they took the Oilers to the woodshed in their three-game romp at Rogers Place this season. He also would provide some bite to their top 6 forwards, something sorely missing.

He is also 29 years old, plays a hard style and has had knee issues, so offering Hyman a freeagent term longer than four or five years makes little sense for the Oilers, even if he's played with Auston Matthews or John Tavares or anywhere else in the top 9 forwards in Toronto. He is a hot item, like a nice house in a great neighbourhood. But do you pay above list to get it, if it might need some work later?

“I showed four clips in that series where Hyman had closed off Connor Mcdavid and his defenceman only had a small space to defend against Connor. He pushed Connor into that black hole,” said TSN commentator Craig Button, the former Calgary Flames general manager.

“Zach is a smart player ... low maintenance, plays the same every shift, doesn't complain. I've compared him to Jere Lehtinen. Very similar personalities,” said Button, who was working with the Dallas Stars when Lehtinen was there.

“If the Oilers want Zach ... and there are a lot of teams that do, I would be making sure Connor is making some phone calls.”

But, at what price and for how long for the 29-year-old left-winger, who plays a hard, intelligent game, when the freeagent doors swing open July 28? Hyman might have 10 teams looking at him.

“Wouldn't surprise me one bit if Gabriel Landeskog walked out of Colorado, Zach Hyman would walk in,” said Button.

So do the Oilers offer Hyman more per year, say, US$6 million, than they just paid Ryan Nugent-hopkins on average ($5.125 million) over eight years? After all, Nugent-hopkins is the longest-serving Oiler, drafted in 2011.

Oilers GM Ken Holland, doing his due diligence, has probably called Mike Babcock, the old Leafs coach, for a scouting report on Hyman. That said, the Oilers need Hyman's grit, but can't go overboard because they also need a third-line centre. Maybe another bottom 6 winger like

Joel Armia. Maybe a goalie.

“I think you would have to sit with Ryan and tell him what you're trying to do with Zach and say, `It's more than you're making, are you OK with this?'” said Button.

“I remember when we were in Dallas, we wanted to sign Brett Hull and we went to Mike Modano and asked Mike if that would be a problem. Mike said he was happy with that.”

Button is a big Hyman fan but says the Oilers have to be wary of a couple of things with the forward.

“When players move from the Eastern Conference to the West, there's recovery time on their bodies, more wear and tear. The travel, and not the same time to recover,” he said.

So what do the Oilers offer Hyman to play with either Mcdavid or Leon Draisaitl? You tend to overpay. So is it term or dollars. In most cases, term is the killer.

“It's term for a guy who's 29. Ideally, a four-year deal for Zach, maybe five years to get him,” said Button.

Say, $6 million a year for four years or five years at $5.25 million.

Hyman played with Matthews and Tavares, a very nice complimentary piece. He's a dog on a bone with the puck in the corners, trying to get it to the net. Playing with Mcdavid or Draisaitl would be right up his alley, too. They need that kind of player.

It's an even better opportunity if the Leafs don't have enough cap room to bring him back and it doesn't appear they do.