Zach Hyman Has Come a Long Way Since the Maple Leafs

Zach Hyman's recent comments about Mike Babcock offer an interesting reminder of just how much can change in a decade. When Hyman first played for Babcock with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was 24 years old and still trying to establish himself as an NHL regular. Today, he's 34, an established player with the Edmonton Oilers, and someone who can look back at those early years with a little more perspective.

What caught my attention wasn't simply how highly Hyman spoke of Babcock. It was how he compared who he was back then with who he is now. He acknowledged that he's not the same person he was six or seven years ago. That's a pretty important observation from a player who has spent much of the past decade building his NHL career.

Hyman Remembers What It Was Like to Be a Young Player.

Hyman said it was important to have someone believe in him early in his career. He remembered the doubters in Toronto and the questions about whether he should play the role he was given. Babcock, he said, trusted him, put him on the ice, and gave him opportunities to grow.

That's something young players don't always get. Playing at the NHL level is one thing, but having someone trust you enough to let you learn the job is another. Confidence can make a difference, particularly when a player is still trying to figure out where he belongs. Hyman clearly hasn't forgotten that experience. Ten years later, he's still talking about it with appreciation.

Ten Years Can Change a Player's Perspective.

Another part of Hyman's comments is worth considering. He's now the older player in the room. He's been through the ups and downs of an NHL career, played important roles, and felt the pressure that comes with playing for a team trying to win. At 24, he was looking for someone to believe in him. At 34, he has become the kind of established player whose experience can help others.

That's an interesting part of a professional hockey career. Fans often measure a player's growth through goals, assists, and individual accomplishments. But there's another kind of development that happens along the way. Hyman's comments remind us that the player we see today isn't necessarily the same person who first arrived in the NHL. Sometimes the biggest changes happen over the years, away from the scoresheet.