Oilers face tough call with Zach Hyman

When training camp opened last month, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch had explained how top forward Zach Hyman ikely won’t return to the lineup until early November.

Hyman was injured in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, when a collision with then- Dallas Stars forward Mason Marchment caused a dislocated wrist that required surgery. He missed the remainder of the postseason as the Oilers lost in the Stanley Cup Final for a second straight year.

Despite surgery and rehabbing all summer long, Hyman won’t be ready for puck drop on Opening night next week, which means the Oilers need to make the necessary adjustments to their roster.

According to Daniel Nugent-Bowman, it all comes down to Hyman and if he is placed on the long-term injury reserve or on the simple IR. That will then reveal the fate of young forwards like Matt Savoie, Issac Howard or Noah Philp.

“The Oilers will have to say goodbye to two players with roster potential (if Hyman is active), one (if Hyman’s on LTIR and no one’s on IR), or maybe even keep all in the mix around (if Hyman’s on LTIR and someone else is on IR).”

The Oilers kick off the 2025-26 regular season against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 8 and will be without Hyman. But we still do not know who else will be cut, and who will get a shot at filling the void while Hyman is on the mend.