Zach Hyman Returns to Oilers Practice Ahead of Possible Comeback

The Edmonton Oilers are preparing to reintegrate veteran winger Zach Hyman after an injury sidelined him for most of the opening stretch of the 2026-27 season. Hyman is expected to practice Friday, October 9, according to Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer, with a possible return to game action against the Los Angeles Kings on October 13.

Hyman has played just once this season, recording a plus-1 rating without registering a point, according to Markerzone. His initial recovery timeline suggested an absence of approximately two weeks after he sustained an undisclosed injury during the preseason finale against the Calgary Flames.

Stauffer indicated that Hyman's participation in Edmonton's Saturday afternoon game remained uncertain, although he anticipated the winger would join the team's practice session Friday.

"I expect him here tomorrow to practice with the Oilers," Stauffer said. "I don't know if he'll play Saturday. It's a matinee game, but I do expect him in to practice tomorrow. I could see him playing maybe Tuesday against LA."

The Oilers have managed a 3-0-1 record and won three consecutive games despite Hyman's absence, according to Markerzone. Edmonton has averaged 5.5 goals per game, with Connor McDavid collecting 12 points and defenseman Evan Bouchard scoring six goals through four games.

Hyman's return would give Edmonton another established scoring option. He recorded 31 goals and 52 points in 58 games last season, according to Pro Hockey Rumors, following a career-best 54-goal campaign across 80 games in 2023-24.

Edmonton also expects newcomer Filip Hallander to enter the lineup, with Stauffer indicating that Max Jones could make way for the incoming forward. Hallander is expected to skate alongside Josh Samanski and Isaac Howard.

Jones has yet to record a point and carries a minus-4 rating, according to Markerzone. Meanwhile, Vasily Podkolzin has scored twice on the power play, giving the Oilers another productive option among their forwards.

Several injuries continue to limit Edmonton's available personnel. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains sidelined with a lower-body injury, while Matt Savoie is expected to miss several more weeks. Center Colton Dach is also out for at least a week, according to Stauffer.

Earlier reporting from Pro Hockey Rumors indicated that Nugent-Hopkins was expected to miss approximately two weeks and that Savoie had been moved to long-term injured reserve with a projected seven-week absence. Those setbacks forced Edmonton to adjust its forward combinations early in the season.

Goaltending remains another concern for the Oilers. Markerzone reported that Devon Levi had earned all three of Edmonton's victories but posted a .863 save percentage, while Tristan Jarry had recorded a .739 save percentage across three appearances and had yet to win a game.

The team had conceded 16 goals during its opening four games, according to Markerzone. The report also highlighted the contrast in Edmonton's results with and without its leading players on the ice.

When McDavid and Leon Draisaitl played together at even strength, Edmonton scored seven goals without allowing one. Without either player on the ice, the team scored three goals and conceded seven, according to reporting published by Yahoo News Canada.

Bouchard's impact was similarly pronounced. The Oilers scored 11 goals and allowed one at even strength with the defenseman on the ice, compared with three goals scored and eight conceded when he was off the ice, according to the same report.

Edmonton is scheduled to visit the San Jose Sharks on Saturday before facing the Los Angeles Kings on October 13. Hyman's recovery will determine whether he can rejoin the lineup during that stretch, while the Oilers continue managing injuries across their forward group.