Zach Hyman talks role in Jack Campbell signing, Gaudreau leaving Alberta

TORONTO – When Zach Hyman returned to Toronto to spend his first off-season as an Edmonton Oiler, he made a point to wrap his arms around a new/old teammate.

He was thrilled to congratulate Jack Campbell, the latest ex-Maple Leaf to head west and strike black gold.

“The best guy,” Hyman said Wednesday night at Smashfest. “Just a phenomenal person and teammate. And you won't find a guy who works harder in the gym, on the ice — and battles. Just very excited to have him.

“Big hug…. Great to have him out west.”

Campbell inked a life-altering five-year, $25-million contract with the Western Conference finalists on day one of free agency, following a path Hyman himself blazed — then laced with Red Lobster tails.

Much like the heart-and-soul left winger a summer ago, Campbell wanted to remain a Maple Leaf but commanded a pay rate and a stability the organization did not offer.

So, the No. 1 goaltender will fly three provinces over and play a key contributing role to that other high-powered Canadian offence.

“He’s earned it. I think he's earned the right to have that job and to have that opportunity. I've seen it. He's capable of doing it. And I think he's motivated this year to prove it over and over again. He's a guy who is too hard on himself at times. So, he’s always motivated,” Hyman said.

Naturally, Oilers general manager Ken Holland spoke to Hyman about Campbell and their shared time in Toronto before making such a rich offer.

Hyman’s reference was glowing.

“First and foremost, you want to be around guys who are just fantastic individuals and have high character, and everyone here knows how highly respected he is in the locker room and among the media and the fans. So, I made that clear,” Hyman said. “And then obviously, such a great goalie. So, just spoke pretty highly — and happy that it ended working out.”

“It’s awesome.”

Indeed, it will be if Campbell’s transition to Edmonton goes as smoothly as Hyman’s.

The forechecking beast registered career highs in goals (27), assists (27) and points (54), then elevated spectacularly in his deepest postseason, ripping 11 goals and 16 points in 16 games.

Hyman, 30, and wife Alannah are happy to report they have a second baby due any day now. So the player keeps one eye on his phone as he joins Connor McDavid, Darnell Nurse and a few others for July workouts at Gary Roberts’ “mini Oilers gym.”

Always one to support a friend, Hyman caught up with old Leafs pals last week when he chipped in at Mitch Marner’s Assist Fund charity event. He then played ping-pong Wednesday to help raise funds for rare cancers and concussion research at Smashfest, a 10-year effort run by ex-Leaf Dominic Moore. Hyman will host his own charity golf tournament Monday.

Family and friends have been healthy distractions from dwelling on a Western Conference final sweep by the hand of the eventual champion Colorado Avalanche.

Hyman tuned out after the loss and didn’t watch the final.

“You feel good when you reflect on how far you went. But at the same time, when you lose, there's only one team that goes away and is happy. We got swept in that series, but I thought that it was it was a closer series and that,” Hyman said.

“Colorado was able to have that killer-instinct mentality and able to sweep a team like us… I think that's something that you take away.”

Hyman is encouraged by what he calls a “phenomenal” off-season by Holland, who re-signed Evander Kane (“He came in with a positive attitude and was really well accepted by everybody and did everything the right way… one of the guys”) and Brett Kulak, snatched up Campbell, and added Mattias Janmark at nice value.

Meanwhile, Alberta’s other team finds itself in triage, dealing the double whammy of losing Americans Johnny Gaudreau and (likely) Matthew Tkachuk.

Hyman believes that the Battle of Alberta will still be hotly contested. He also acknowledges that his opinion of the shiny new toy in Columbus escalated over the past two seasons, going head-to-head with Gaudreau so often in the North Division, then again in a wild playoff series.

“Dynamic player. Game changer. Shifty. When he has the puck, he’s so elusive. You think he's gonna get hit, and he’s able to avoid and evade plays. I mean, there's a reason he was up there for the Hart,” Hyman said.

Hyman has noticed that the departure of Gaudreau has fueled the hot stove, with many wondering if U.S.-born stars drafted to Canadian clubs are eager for the chance to move south.

“Personally, I love it. I love playing in a Canadian market. I loved playing in Toronto. I love playing in Edmonton. No fans are better than Canadian fans. And it's special,” Hyman says with conviction.

“I'm Canadian, obviously. So that probably weighs in on it. Those guys are American, and maybe they want to be closer to home or whatnot. But I think everybody has a right to choose when you get to that point. You've kinda earned it. And I can't fault a guy for wanting to be near his family close to home, so everybody's decision is different.”