The departure of Corey Perry from the Edmonton Oilers has marked a new chapter for the NHL team, but it’s forward Zach Hyman who recently shared a heartfelt reflection following a challenging period. Hyman, who missed the 2025 Stanley Cup Final due to a dislocated wrist, opened up about his feelings and hopes for the upcoming season with Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
Hyman suffered the injury during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars after a heavy hit by Mason Marchment. The injury required surgery in early June, ruling him out of the remainder of the playoffs, including the series-clinching Game 5 against the Stars and all six games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.
On Monday, at the sixth annual Zach Hyman Charitable Golf Tournament, Hyman expressed the emotional toll of watching from the sidelines during such a critical moment.
“It was hard in the Final not being able to help, you feel helpless.” Hyman admitted, according to NHL.com. “It’s not common to be watching, especially in games like that where you want to be involved. I got a feel for it as a manager almost from the top, which was not fun. Watching those games was super stressful. When you are playing in it, you are not stressed at all, you’re just playing.”
Zach Hyman #18 of the Edmonton Oilers arrives for the game against the Florida Panthers in Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
What’s next for Zach Hyman after Corey Perry’s exit?
As the Oilers navigate the post-Corey Perry era—following Perry’s departure to the Los Angeles Kings—Hyman remains optimistic about his return and the team’s future prospects.
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Hyman has not set a definitive date for his return, choosing to avoid potential disappointment. However, he is hopeful to be on the ice for opening night of the 2025-26 NHL season. “I haven’t set a date or anything like that. Once you set a date, you get disappointed if you don’t play on the date. I hope to play on opening night,” he said.
With Perry and Connor Brown no longer on the roster, the Oilers have brought in new forwards Andrew Mangiapane and Curtis Lazar to fill the gaps. Hyman shared his thoughts on these changes and the challenges ahead.
“You want to bring everybody back every year and run it back every year, but this is the nature of sports. I’m going into my eleventh year, so it’s always sad to see teammates go, but you realize this is what happens in sports. But we will miss those guys a lot.” He added.
How is Zach Hyman’s recovery progressing?
Hyman is currently in the recovery phase from his wrist surgery and is optimistic about the progress. He continues to wear a brace but expects to remove it in the coming weeks.
“Still wearing the brace but getting it off in the next couple weeks which is great. Still in the recovery phase but I’m looking forward to getting on the ice and getting going when I can.”
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How soon do you think Zach Hyman will return to full strength for the Edmonton Oilers?
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With the Oilers preparing for the next season without key veterans but bolstered by fresh talent, Zach Hyman’s leadership and determination will be essential as they aim to build on recent playoff experiences and contend for the Stanley Cup once more.
