The Edmonton Oilers will open the 2025-26 season without top‑line winger Zach Hyman, who underwent wrist surgery after the Western Conference Final and begins the year on long‑term injured reserve.
Club guidance has targeted early November for his return, placing his rehab squarely in the first month of the schedule as Edmonton tunes its forward mix for the opener against the Calgary Flames.
Edmonton Oilers Vs. Calgary Flames Injury Report
Hyman’s recovery leads Edmonton’s report. Following late‑May wrist surgery, the veteran winger has been ruled out for the home opener while he completes the final phase of rehab, with the team’s estimate set “around November 1.”
His LTIR placement reflects that plan, which provides short‑term roster and cap flexibility while he’s unavailable. Cap compliance is again required upon activation.
On the ice, Hyman’s absence temporarily removes a net‑front finisher and relentless puck‑retrieval presence from Connor McDavid’s line, the role he has filled since signing a seven‑year, $38.5 million contract (AAV $5.5 million) in 202. In the near term, the staff is expected to elevate a winger with cycle pressure and finishing traits into Hyman’s slot and redistribute power‑play minutes across the remaining top six.
Edmonton will lean more on rush chances from McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to help cover Hyman’s net‑crash production, with recall flexibility available under LTIR to stabilize forward lines if needed.
As of the eve of the opener, the remainder of the Oilers’ availability is routine, placing the spotlight on Hyman’s ramp and the temporary top‑line configuration until he clears full‑contact practice and is ready for activation next month.
Calgary arrives with standard opener readiness on core skaters and goaltending, setting a familiar rivalry tone. Morning‑skate updates will confirm any late maintenance absences on either side; otherwise, the focus is on how Edmonton’s top six aligns in the early stretch and how special teams settle without Hyman’s net‑front presence.
Oilers vs. Flames TV Schedule and Streaming Options
The Battle of Alberta opener is Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 10 p.m. ET. The game airs on Sportsnet in Canada and TVAS in French. Streaming in Canada is available on Sportsnet+, and U.S. viewers can watch via ESPN+/NHL Power Play when the matchup is not in a designated national window.
Local radio carriage is available on the Sportsnet Radio Network in Calgary (Sportsnet 960 The FAN), with corresponding Oilers game coverage on Sportsnet platforms. Check game-day listings for market-specific stations.
Fans attending can expect the usual opener presentation, including warm-ups approximately 30 minutes before puck drop, player introductions, and tight special-teams and line-matching as both benches settle into rhythm.
For Hyman, the first milestone remains clearance for full-contact practice, ahead of the early-November target date. Once activated, Edmonton must return to cap compliance and will restore its first-line net-front dimension, a key component in the McDavid–Draisaitl attack, for the stretch ahead. Until then, the Oilers’ forward group is well-tuned for a short window without a top-line winger, with the timeline and roster mechanics aligned for a seamless re-entry when he’s ready.