Zach Hyman gives injury update as long Oilers break nears end
The Edmonton Oilers are back in action tomorrow night after an extended five-day break, but it will be without Zach Hyman.
The former 50-goal scorer left after the second period of a game against the Ottawa Senators last week and has been out of the lineup ever since. Details on the nature of the injury have not been revealed, and all we know is that he will not be in Edmonton’s lineup for either of this weekend’s games against the Utah Hockey Club and Colorado Avalanche.
Hyman was skating with his teammates this morning at Rogers Place. After practice, he addressed the media for the first time since being injured.
“Not playing right now, still getting better every day and just trying to get back out there,” Hyman said. “I don’t really have a timeline. I’m going on the trip and taking it day by day.
“Very frustrating timing-wise… Like any player, I don’t like missing games. I love playing hockey… but it’s out of my control.”
"Like any player, I don't like missing games… I'm getting better every day & just trying to get back out there."
Zach Hyman provided an injury update after today's #Oilers practice.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/dYu4Q3Nw7n
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 28, 2024
It hasn’t been quite the follow-up season that Hyman or the Oilers had hoped for the gritty winger. While a repeat of last season’s 54-goal performance was unlikely, Hyman has just four goals and eight points through his first 20 games. This puts him on pace for just 30 points this season, which would be his worst since coming to the Oilers in the summer of 2021.
Despite the frustrating start, Hyman said that he isn’t bothered by it and is no stranger to going through frustrating stretches.
“I’ve had so much adversity in my career,” Hyman told reporters. “I don’t judge myself off result, it’s always process-driven.
“A big of my game is producing and helping the team win, and when you’re not playing, you can’t do it. It’s tough mentally to be out… but nothing to do with results or comparing this year to last year.”
He did confirm that he will be on this upcoming trip with the Oilers. While he has been ruled out for the first two games, Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights may still be on the table.