What Happened
Zach Hyman is set to rejoin the Edmonton Oilers lineup for Saturday's game against the Utah Mammoth, according to Sportsnet. The 34-year-old forward has not played since Edmonton's season opener because of an upper-body injury he sustained in the team's final pre-season game against the Calgary Flames. In that opener, a 6-5 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, Hyman logged 20:33 of ice time without recording a point, finishing with three shots on goal and two hits.
Key Details
- Hyman's injury occurred in the pre-season finale against the Calgary Flames.
- He has been out since Edmonton's opening-night loss to Vancouver.
- In that game he had no points, three shots and two hits in 20:33 of ice time.
- Last season Hyman played 58 games, scoring 31 goals and adding 21 assists.
- The season before, he had 27 goals and 17 assists in 73 games.
- He missed the entire Stanley Cup Final that season with a shoulder injury.
What It Means
Hyman's return gives Edmonton a top-six forward back after a short absence. His recent history includes missed time and a dip in production, so his reintegration will be worth monitoring as the Oilers move deeper into the schedule.
What's Next
Hyman is expected to play Saturday against Utah. His usage and performance in that game will be the first indication of how quickly he returns to his usual role.