Where Hyman slots into Edmonton Oilers lineup as he makes long-awaited return
No Edmonton Oilers player has more playoff goals than him over the last three seasons.
During regular-season play, only Leon Draisaitl has scored more than Zach Hyman since the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
Hyman has been missed by the Oilers since suffering a dislocated wrist in Game 4 of the Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars last spring.
On Saturday, however, he’ll finally make his return to the lineup.
“It’s exciting,” Hyman said pre-game. “Long time, so it’s good to be back.”
“It was a long process, it was hard, but I had great help. The staff here has been incredible.”
Hyman hasn’t played since May 27 of last season. He missed the final eight games of the postseason, along with the first 19 games of the 2025-26 regular season.
The 33-year-old was tied for the Oilers team lead with five even-strength playoff goals at the time of his injury.
“It was hard, having to watch the Stanley Cup Finals,” he said.
Edmonton eventually lost to the Florida Panthers in six games without Hyman in the lineup.
So far this season, it’s been a middling start for the Oilers, who unsurprisingly entered the season as a Stanley Cup favourite. That prompted head coach Kris Knoblauch to rip into his team in a clip that went viral earlier this week.
“A lot of room for improvement,” Hyman said. “I think that’s the consensus among the group. We can take a step, and I think it’s time for us to start playing the way I know we can.”
Hyman is tied for the NHL lead in playoff goals over the last two seasons. (Perry Nelson/Imagn Images)
Having Hyman back should help alleviate some of their offensive shortcomings.
“We’re very fortunate to have him back right now,” Knoblauch said on Saturday morning. “It will be a boost to the team.”
Here’s how the Oilers lined up at morning skate on Saturday ahead of Hyman’s return against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Forwards
Savoie – McDavid – Hyman
Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Roslovic
Mangiapane – Henrique – Frederic
Janmark-Philp-Lazar
Defence
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Walman
Kulak – Regula
Hyman has been a staple on McDavid’s wing over the last two seasons. He’s spent a whopping 79 per cent of his even-strength ice time saddled up alongside the Oilers’ superstar.
When McDavid and Hyman have been on the ice together at 5-on-5 over the last two seasons, the Oilers have outscored their opposition 122-71, for a whopping +51 goal differential.
When McDavid doesn’t play with Hyman, the Oilers have actually been outscored 59-51 since the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
Hyman has 144 goals and 258 career points in 308 regular-season games with the Oilers.