Edmonton Oilers star winger Zach Hyman hits 700 NHL games, a milestone it took longer to reach than it does for many NHLers. Injuries are part of the trade-off for his robust physical game, yet his hard-nosed approach is exactly what the Oilers need more of.
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Well, he’s closer to the 50 goals Zach Hyman than he’s been in a while.
Well, he’s closer to the 50 goals Zach Hyman than he’s been in a while.
I mean, injuries have really, you know, he’s, he’s a heart and soul guy.
I mean, injuries have really, you know, he’s, he’s a heart and soul guy.
He’s a guy who plays through injuries.
He’s a guy who plays through injuries.
He did with Toronto.
He did with Toronto.
He’s done it through with Edmonton.
He’s done it through with Edmonton.
He’s done it in the playoffs.
He’s done it in the playoffs.
you know, there was some talk about him potentially being the replacement for Brayden Point, for, for Team Canada for the Olympics.
you know, there was some talk about him potentially being the replacement for Brayden Point, for, for Team Canada for the Olympics.
I don’t know where that stands in terms of them replacing him, but I mean, you would know, you would think that in terms of him plugging in with Connor McDavid, you know, there, there are some people who can play with Connor McDavid.
I don’t know where that stands in terms of them replacing him, but I mean, you would know, you would think that in terms of him plugging in with Connor McDavid, you know, there, there are some people who can play with Connor McDavid.
There are other people it’s, it’s too much to do it and Zach Hyman has done it.
There are other people it’s, it’s too much to do it and Zach Hyman has done it.
So, but yeah, I mean, he’s 19 goals in 32 games.
So, but yeah, I mean, he’s 19 goals in 32 games.
I mean, if he played a full season, that’s, you know, that’s, that’s like a 60 goal or 55 to 60 goal season.
I mean, if he played a full season, that’s, you know, that’s, that’s like a 60 goal or 55 to 60 goal season.
So, you know, he’s, he’s really playing well.
So, you know, he’s, he’s really playing well.
And I mean, the Oilers really need him to play at that level if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
And I mean, the Oilers really need him to play at that level if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
Andre, how important do you think that Hyman is going to be to the Oilers’ success?
Andre, how important do you think that Hyman is going to be to the Oilers’ success?
Or I guess maybe the flip side of that is how detrimental will it be if he does manage, you know, if he happens to get injured again, or if this production level falls off?
Or I guess maybe the flip side of that is how detrimental will it be if he does manage, you know, if he happens to get injured again, or if this production level falls off?
How much do you think their success hinges on him?
How much do you think their success hinges on him?
I think for sure he’s, he’s a key, a key, not a driver, but he’s a really good complimentary player to Connor McDavid.
I think for sure he’s, he’s a key, a key, not a driver, but he’s a really good complimentary player to Connor McDavid.
And, you know, I understand from afar, like when Hyman is out, it seems like they’re always juggling that top six, you know, Draisaitl’s up there, Draisaitl’s not up there.
And, you know, I understand from afar, like when Hyman is out, it seems like they’re always juggling that top six, you know, Draisaitl’s up there, Draisaitl’s not up there.
Nugent Hopkins moves around, but when Hyman is in, it seems like it’s always him and McDavid on that top line.
Nugent Hopkins moves around, but when Hyman is in, it seems like it’s always him and McDavid on that top line.
and he’s been like this for years.
and he’s been like this for years.
I mean, even back to his days in Toronto, he’s been such a complimentary player on the top line next to superstars.
I mean, even back to his days in Toronto, he’s been such a complimentary player on the top line next to superstars.
And Michael said it, you know, there’s, there’s beer leaguers that say, you know, put me on a line with McDavid and I can get 10 in a season or stuff like that.
And Michael said it, you know, there’s, there’s beer leaguers that say, you know, put me on a line with McDavid and I can get 10 in a season or stuff like that.
But it’s true, you know, not everyone can play with the, the, the elite of the elite, at the speed he plays with, you know, Hyman’s been able to keep up and then, you know, scored 50 not too long ago and, and, and the hot streak he’s on right now.
But it’s true, you know, not everyone can play with the, the, the elite of the elite, at the speed he plays with, you know, Hyman’s been able to keep up and then, you know, scored 50 not too long ago and, and, and the hot streak he’s on right now.
So it’s a really big factor.
So it’s a really big factor.
And I think, you know, him hopefully being healthy for playoffs, Edmonton will be hoping to get back to the final again, and maybe there’s a different outcome for them this time.
And I think, you know, him hopefully being healthy for playoffs, Edmonton will be hoping to get back to the final again, and maybe there’s a different outcome for them this time.