Hyman downplays slump: 'Nobody says anything' if it happens midseason

Zach Hyman isn't panicking about starting the season without a point.

"It's an 82-game season," the Edmonton Oilers winger told reporters Wednesday. "So, it's unfortunate that it happens at the beginning. I've gone through stretches like this from Game 40 to 47, and nobody says anything because you've already banked some stats."

Hyman did acknowledge that his struggles haven't helped the 2-4-1 Oilers in close games, though their only defeat by fewer than three goals so far this season came Tuesday night in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

"It's tough, especially when we're losing by one goal," Hyman said. "That's what bothers me the most, is when I have an opportunity to score to help us win, and usually those go in for me and those would be wins for us."

Individually speaking, though, he's not worried about getting his groove back offensively.

"(If) you get chances, eventually they're going to go in," Hyman said. "I mean, I've scored a bunch of goals in this league."

Hyman's career-high goal total last season placed him third in the NHL, both in all situations (54) and at even strength (39). The 32-year-old increased his total by 50% after producing 36 over 79 games in 2022-23. He then led all NHL skaters with 16 tallies across 25 playoff contests.

The veteran forward's average ice time actually decreased last campaign to 19:30 from his nine-year high of 20:09. However, he's been playing close to 20 minutes (19:56) a night through seven games in 2023-24.

Edmonton signed Hyman to a seven-year, $38.5-million contract as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2021.

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