Hyman Proves His Worth: Hyman Snubbed Turn into a Breakout Season

Zach Hyman may have been left off Team Canada’s roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, but that snub could be the best thing to happen to the Edmonton Oilers. With a huge chip on his shoulder and something to prove, Hyman has been playing like a man possessed, playing through a broken nose and racking up nine goals in his last eight games.

Now deemed the Hyman snub in Edmonton, a 54-goal scorer last season being left off the roster sounded ludicrous. Plenty of solid players were left off the team, but Hyman’s omission raised eyebrows, particularly because he can do a bit of everything. He scores, he kills penalties, he’s a net front on the power play, and he knows Connor McDavid perhaps better than anyone. But, a slow start to the season created doubts among the Team Canada brass.

Hyman is making that selection committee look foolish now. Their loss has been Edmonton’s gain.

Hyman Is Showing at Team Canada Got It Wrong

Despite his proven chemistry with McDavid and consistent production over the past three seasons—117 goals and 214 points in 235 regular-season games—Team Canada got inside their own heads. Sure, Hyman struggled early this season, scoring just once in his first 11 games and battling through injuries. But, looking at the underlying numbers, it was only a matter of time before he broke through.

Now that he’s done so, the Oilers have gone on a run.

Since the Team Canada roster announcement, Hyman has shown the form that makes him one of the NHL’s most reliable goal-scorers. Edmonton has won seven of its last eight games, thanks in no small part to Hyman’s offensive explosion. His tenacity and scoring touch have revitalized the Oilers, proving that he remains a critical piece of their success.

Hyman always plays well, but he plays better when he’s got a point to prove. He didn’t get a deal with the Florida Panthers early in his career and was traded to the Maple Leafs. In Toronto, he quickly carved out a regular role, learning to play well with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. He absolutely earned an extension, but the Leafs chose not to get to fair market value on a deal in free agency, so Hyman chose the Oilers.

Since joining Edmonton, Hyman has been nothing shy of incredible.

Hyman Could Still Get a Spot on the Team

Now, he’s silencing critics once again. Team Canada may still yet get this right. All it takes is one injury for them to pick up the phone and apologize. Ironically, Hyman doesn’t want that. It’s not to say he wouldn’t love to play for Team Canada, but he’s not the kind of guy who wishes an injury upon anyone. And he certainly doesn’t want that just to get a spot he should have gotten in the first place.