Both Reinhart and Hyman moved on to new teams in July 2021 and not many saw two future 50 goal scorers coming
Both Reinhart and Hyman moved on to new teams in July 2021 and not many saw two future 50 goal scorers coming
On Sunday both Florida’s Sam Reinhart and Edmonton’s Zach Hyman hit the prestigious 50 goal mark for the first time in their careers.
In the summer of the 2021, the Buffalo Sabres made the decision to part ways with their former second overall pick in Reinhart and sent him in a trade to Florida. In the that same summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs let Hyman walk as a UFA as they thought his 5.5 AAV was too rich a price to pay for what he brings offensively.
Unlike Reinhart, Hyman was a not a high draft pick. He was drafted in the 5th round by coincidentally the Panthers in 2010. After his college career ended, he opted to become a free agent instead of joining Florida and in response his rights were sent to Toronto.
Despite having dissimilar starts to their careers, they have had some parallels since. Both players had decent success in their first stints in the NHL but have seen their play elevate and numbers take off since their 2021 relocations.
I doubt there were many people in July 2021, who saw either of these transactions come across the wire and foresaw two future 50 goal scorers. So, it is pretty fitting that both players were able to accomplish this rare milestone on the same day.
Both players are examples of hard work and self-belief paying off. Aside from that, having Connor McDavid and Sasha Barkov as your center certainly does not hurt the cause. However, playing with those stars takes nothing away from what both these players have accomplished as ESPN’s Ray Ferraro outlined well.
Unlike Hyman though, Reinhart’s 50 goal season and career year comes with his contract expiring this summer and he will be in line for a big raise. Back up the Brinks Truck because everything is coming up Sam Reinhart!
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