The Toronto Maple Leafs are searching for young talent to re-stock the cupboards with for the rebuild and they’ve been watching the NCAA prospects closely this year.

Zach Hyman is Florida Panthers prospect at the University of Michigan who looks like he’s going to be heading to free agency – unless the Panthers can somehow ink him to a deal.

What’s the connection to Toronto? Thought number 23 from Eilliote Friedman’s most recent 30 Thoughts post:

23. A couple more NCAA notes: Michigan senior forward Zach Hyman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent Aug. 16 if not signed by the team that drafted him, Florida. In a bit of a surprise, it sure sounds like he will test the market rather than go directly to the Panthers. In some way, Florida should take that as a compliment because they have so many prospects that the route for young players is now tougher. You always look for relationships, too. This is purely a guess, but Hyman is from Toronto and his previous “advisor” (no agents in the NCAA, wink, wink) was Kyle Dubas. I could be overthinking it, but what the heck.

Should the 6’1″, 194 lb, forward hit the market it seems like the Toronto Maple Leafs might have a leg up on the competition.

Hyman has had a fantastic year from a statistics standpoint, putting up 54 points in 37 games for the University of Michigan in the Big Ten. The former 5th round pick of the Panthers is another player that is on the radar of several NHL teams after being announced as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

His 1.46 points per game ranked fourth in the nation – behind only Jack Eichel, Evan Rodriques and Jimmy Vesey.

There is no downside to chasing Hyman – just as there’s no downside to chasing Mike Reilly. It’s all about filling the system with young talent as the Maple Leafs move forward with the rebuild.