Oilers will need Zach Hyman replacement to begin next season
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
According to reports out of Oilers' training camp from analyst Jason Gregor, Zack Hyman will not only miss at least the first week of camp, but has not set a firm timeline for his return.
On a positive note, however, the gritty forward is skating on his own away from his teammates. Hyman said he's gauging his progress in two-week windows, and may well be with the team after his next window.
Forward Zach Hyman speaks to his injury during training camp media availability
«I've had major surgery before, with the knee. Whenever you set a timeline or a date, you often get disappointed if you don't hit that date,» Hyman said. «For me, internally with the group, we have little two-week blocks, milestones, that we check off and that we hit. Right now, we are progressing very well.»
Oilers' GM Stan Bowman, however, was more optimistic about his star forward's return to action, and was quite blunt about his prognosis.
«He's not going to miss much time, if he misses any. I'm not worried about Zach Hyman.»
Nevertheless, the Oilers are taking a cautious approach to Hyman's return to the lineup by trying different players at the 1st-line winger position. Head coach Knoblauch commented on this contingency.
«I'm not committing to any one player to stick on Connor McDavid's right side just yet. We'll try different looks at camp and see who fits.»
Though Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has played on McDavid's wing the past two-seasons, the duo's production actually decreased when playing together. Also, the Oilers reported they'd like to see RNH as the team's 3C.
Matt Savoie is a possible candidate to replace Hyman while he's out of the lineup. He possesses the skill, aggression, and a hard-driving game, which could complement McDavid's style.
Granted, it is still early days of camp and we could very well see Zach Hyman skating with his team as early as next week. Even so, Knoblauch will be canvassing top-6 candidates alongside McDavid in the event of delay, or further injury.
It has certainly been a long summer of recovery for Hyman, who says he's 'just excited for the year and being able to rejoin the guys.'
The 2025-26 season will be a critical one for the Oilers moving forward, with much riding on the team's success amidst a number of distractions, in addition to reaching its 3rd-straight Stanley Cup Finals.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 18 | 446 ANSWERS Oilers will need Zach Hyman replacement to begin next season Who is the better replacement for Zach Hyman on the 1st-line? | ||
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | 74 | 16.6 % |
| Matt Savoie | 77 | 17.3 % |
| Andrew Mangiapane | 295 | 66.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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