Oilers hit with major blow as Zach Hyman suffers setback

Bad news straight out of Edmonton on Wednesday. Oilers fans will have to stay patient a little longer. Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Wednesday that forward Zach Hyman has suffered a setback in his recovery and remains week to week.

Hyman, who dislocated his wrist in Game 5 of last season’s Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, was eligible and originally aiming to return on Nov. 1, but that plan has been pushed back.

“We said it was bare minimum on Nov. 1, but it won’t be Nov. 1, it’ll be at least a week after that,” Knoblauch told reporters. “We want him back and he looks ready, but obviously we’re looking at the long picture and making sure we don’t have any setbacks.”

The talented winger has been skating with the group again and says he feels close to ready, though he admits the final call isn’t his to make.

“When you get injured like this, I’m always going to tell you that I’m ready to go,” Hyman said. “But at the end of the day, the doctors are there to protect you from yourself and make sure that when you do return, you’re truly ready.”

Hyman was a key piece for Edmonton last season, putting up 44 points (27 goals, 17 assists) in 73 games and providing crucial depth behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

“It was a very serious injury,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said to Daniel Nugent-Bowman. “He’s someone that we obviously care about, somebody that I spend the summer with training. To see him go through this rehab has been difficult. It hasn’t been easy for him."

For now, the Oilers will continue to monitor his progress carefully and hope their reliable two-way forward can make a full return sooner rather than later.

Because they need him with a rough start to 2025-26.