October 30, 2025 by Eric Friesen

Zach Hyman has been sorely missed by the Edmonton Oilers through the first 11 games this season.

While his scoring touch have been impossible to replace on the first line and top power-play unit, Hyman’s tenacity on the forecheck has also been a noticeable absence in the Oilers’ style of play in October. Hyman, who suffered a dislocated wrist that required surgery during Game 5 of the 2025 Western Conference Final on May 27, was eligible to return to the lineup on November 1.

However, Head Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Hyman won’t be in the lineup on Saturday when the Oilers host the Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Place.

“He looks ready, I want to put him in,” Knoblauch told Oilers TV after practice on Wednesday. “The medical staff is holding him back. We said it was bare minimum November 1, and it won’t be November 1. It will be at least a week after that.

Hyman has a well-earned reputation for putting his body on the line to help his team win and playing hurt, but when it comes to a long-term injury like this one, there’s no reason to rush him back into game action before his wrist has fully healed. The 33-year-old winger knows that returning too early and reaggravating the injury isn’t worth the risk when he intends to still be playing hockey in June.

“I feel good, I’m skating,” said Hyman on Wednesday. “It’s nice to join the group. When you get injured like this, I’m always going to tell you that I’m ready to go, because that’s how I feel, but at the end of the day, the doctors are there to protect you from yourself at times and make sure that when you do return that you’re able and ready and that’s how I feel.”

Since joining the Oilers in 2021, Hyman has scored at least 27 goals in four consecutive seasons, including a career-high 54 markers in 2023-24. Connor McDavid, who has been Hyman’s most consistent linemate in Edmonton, is eager to skate alongside the former 50-goal scorer and Team Canada hopeful when he’s cleared to play next month.

“It’ll be a huge boost for sure,” said McDavid on Wednesday. “We’ve got some young forwards on the team that are kind of finding their way, and it’ll be good to get him back and everything that he provides. He obviously skates well, he’s physical, and he goes to the net hard – all stuff we’ve kind of been missing, so it’ll be huge to get him back.”