Oilers Forward Faces Extended Absence
Edmonton Oilers fans will have to wait longer to see Zach Hyman back in the lineup as the veteran forward's return from injury has been postponed once again. The winger continues recovering from a wrist injury sustained during last year's Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars.
Timeline Setbacks and Road Trip Complications
Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Hyman will not play in Saturday's game against the Colorado Avalanche and his status for Monday's matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets remains uncertain. If Hyman misses Monday's game, his homecoming will be significantly delayed since the Oilers embark on a challenging seven-game road trip spanning 13 days.
The 33-year-old last appeared in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, meaning he will have been sidelined for 165 days by the time the Oilers face Colorado. Following off-season wrist surgery, Hyman has been practicing with the team for the past month during his rehabilitation process.
Team Updates and Roster Movements
Meanwhile, forward Mattias Janmark is also nearing his season debut after being sidelined since training camp with an undisclosed injury. Knoblauch indicated Janmark could return as early as Saturday or Monday, providing additional depth to the lineup.
In the absence of key players, newcomer Jack Roslovic has emerged as a significant contributor. The late roster addition has recorded seven points (three goals, four assists) in his last seven games, finding chemistry on the second line alongside Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin while also seeing power-play opportunities.
Hyman's production last season saw him record 44 points (27 goals, 17 assists) in 73 games, a decrease from his career-high 77-point campaign the previous year when he scored 54 goals.
