Oilers hit with scary Zach Hyman injury update after brutal collision

The Edmonton Oilers entered the week hoping to get healthier. Instead, they lost one of their most important forwards for the second time this season.

Veteran winger Zach Hyman was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday morning after being driven into the boards by Detroit defenseman Andreas Englund during Monday night's 4-3 shootout loss to the Red Wings. Hyman’s head appeared to make hard contact with the glass, and he was visibly shaken as training staff helped him off the ice. He did not return.

Mike Babcock spoke with reporters ahead of tonight’s Battle of Alberta and said Hyman is suffering from a stiff neck. He will miss at least a week.

This is the second time Hyman has been sidelined in 2026-27. He missed the first six games of the season after an upper-body injury in the preseason finale and has managed only five contests since returning, recording a single goal in that stretch.

His latest absence deepens what has become a significant roster problem in Edmonton. The Oilers are already without forwards Matt Savoie, Jason Dickinson, and Mattias Janmark, defensemen Mattias Ekholm and Alec Regula, and goaltender Frederik Andersen.

There are some reinforcements on the horizon. Dickinson is reportedly expected back for tonight’s game against the Flames, and Ekholm could rejoin the group as soon as this weekend when Edmonton embarks on an eastern road trip. But losing Hyman to a neck injury casts a cloud over any optimism about the team's health trajectory.

Despite the wave of injuries, Edmonton still sits atop the Pacific Division with an 8-2-2 record and 18 points. That cushion provides some breathing room, but the Oilers need their depth players to keep delivering while they wait for reinforcements.

Getting Hyman back healthy will be critical, but with neck injuries involved, there is no rushing that timeline.