Oilers’ Zach Hyman to miss game Thursday against Wild, out 4-7 days

When speaking to the media on Thursday, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch revealed that forward Zach Hyman will not be in the lineup for that night’s matchup with the Minnesota Wild.

Knoblauch also stated that Hyman is expected to be out for the next 4-7 days, but he didn’t specify the reasoning behind the Toronto native’s absence.

Knoblauch says Hyman will be out 4-7 days.

Adds he doesn’t expect Arvidsson back on Saturday either. #Oilers

— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) November 21, 2024

Knoblauch told reporters that forward Viktor Arvidsson, who hasn’t played since Nov. 12 due to an undisclosed injury, is not expected to return to the lineup by Saturday.

Hyman has played in all 20 games thus far this season for the Oilers, though his production has been far off what it was last season. In 2023-24, the former Toronto Maple Leaf scored a career-high 54 goals, notching 77 points in 80 games. However, so far in 2024-25, he has scored just three goals and five assists for eight points.

Granted, some of Hyman’s lack of scoring could stem from the fact that linemate and team captain Connor McDavid missed time due to an injury. Yet, the bounces have not come for him in the opening month of the season.

If the timeline Knoblauch mentioned holds true, there is a chance Hyman would return to the lineup next Friday when Edmonton visits the Utah Hockey Club.

In the expectation of Hyman having to sit out, the Oilers called up forward Drake Caggiula from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. Caggiula, who returned to the Edmonton organization on a two-year contract in 2023, has appeared in two games this season, last playing on Nov. 3 against the Calgary Flames. The 30-year-old registered an assist in his season debut on Oct. 31 against the Nashville Predators.

With Bakersfield this season, Caggiula has posted five goals and four assists for nine points.

The Oilers (10-8-2) are fourth in the Pacific Division in points (22) but are fifth in the division in winning percentage (.550).