As training camps open so does the return of the typical NHL news cycle. Today, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch informed reporters that Zach Hyman will likely be out until early November. Hyman was injured late in last season’s playoff run, leaving the Oilers shorthanded and missing a key energy player while trying to defeat the Florida Panthers.
While a bit disappointing, the Oilers are prepared to take his absence in stride. In the NHL, adversity and opportunity are often the same thing. The Oilers will now have an open spot on Connor McDavid’s wing, as well as on the top power play.
Of course it would be better to have Hyman around, but the team will now be able to use training camp, the preseason, and the first month of the regular season to audition players in bigger roles.Â
Who will replace Zach Hyman?
Early in camp the Oilers have put Andrew Mangiapane and David Tomasek alongside McDavid. This is hardly a commitment, but it does show a willingness from Knoblauch to give some new Oilers a spotlight.
In general, Knoblauch seems keen to put one skilled winger and one power winger alongside McDavid. Hyman fills the power winger role, doing the dirty work on the forecheck and at the net front.Â
We should expect players who fit that description to get a look at some point, most notably Trent Frederic. Both Frederic and Vasily Podkolzin will have a chance to fill Hyman’s power play role, which could lead either to a career season.
The good news is that Hyman will be back to full health at some point. In the meantime, Frederic, Podkolzin, Tomasek, and Mangiapane will have glorious chances to get off to a strong start. It might also give players lower on the depth chart a chance to make the team out of camp. Noah Philp, Josh Samanski, and James Hamblin might be the most obvious beneficiaries. But with a handful of prospects vying for ice time, like Matthew Savoie, Isaac Howard, Quinn Hutson, Roby Jarventie, and Viljami Marjala, they might have a bit more daylight as well.
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