EDMONTON - Zach Hyman is 31 games into his 2025-26 NHL season and finally appears adjusted to what he calls his "new normal."
The Edmonton Oilers winger returned to the lineup Dec. 1 after missing the first 19 games recovering from surgery for a wrist injury suffered in last spring鈥檚 Western Conference final.
He had a slow start his first couple of weeks, as could be expected, but had eight goals in his last 10 games heading into a contest against visiting New Jersey on Tuesday. Since his return he had 19 goals and 31 points (fifth on the Oilers) and a plus-10 rating (third on the team) before facing the Devils.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of the way I鈥檝e been able to play coming back from injury,鈥 the 33-year-old said after Tuesday鈥檚 morning skate. "It鈥檚 not easy being hurt. It鈥檚 not easy going through rehab. It鈥檚 not easy when you literally can鈥檛 access your wrist, your hand and it鈥檚 a long process to get back."
As difficult as it was not playing for six months, Hyman recognizes the benefit as well.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the first time in a long time I鈥檝e had six months to actually train,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been playing a lot of hockey, so my mind felt great, my body felt great. The wrist takes as long as it needs to take, to find that touch around the net.
鈥淭he first 10 games, you have no pre-season you鈥檙e just kind of going into it, you go from skating by yourself to skating with the group to all of a sudden a week later you鈥檙e playing games. You have to get caught up pretty quickly.鈥
But he is back, playing with his usual rambunctious style and he found his deft goalscoring touch once he got up to speed and into the rhythm of the play.
鈥淚鈥檝e been in this position before where I鈥檝e been able to score a lot of goals in a short period of time, so it鈥檚 not that it鈥檚 new,鈥 he said. 鈥業t鈥檚 just the fact I鈥檓 able to help the team and be back to where I wanted to be after major surgery and injury.鈥
The adjustment he had to make to his game came on the physical side. He鈥檚 still as aggressive as ever, but it鈥檚 more full body and less hands, as a precautionary move.
鈥淵ou adapt and be a better version鈥 of the physical player, he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the new normal you deal with.鈥
It鈥檚 hard to credit one individual for a team鈥檚 success, but since Hyman found his groove on the ice the Oilers are a much-improved team. Even his superstar centreman, Connor McDavid, has been producing at a career-high level.
Finding wingers who fit with McDavid hasn鈥檛 been as easy as one would think, but Hyman and McDavid, who worked well together last season, found almost instant chemistry again once reunited.
鈥淵ou have to go out and play your game,鈥 Hyman said of playing with McDavid. 鈥淵ou try to get him the puck as much as you can, but don鈥檛 force it. It鈥檚 like basketball, the more you can get it to your best player the better off you鈥檙e going to be. If I get the puck and he鈥檚 open, probably want him to have the puck and I鈥檒l go get open and be the last touch.鈥
The Oilers were 11-10-5 when Hyman returned and during his recent 20-game tear, in which he scored 17 goals, the team is 12-6-2.
OF NOTE: Hyman is on standby for Canada鈥檚 Olympic team. ... Kasperi Kapanen, who left Sunday鈥檚 game against St. Louis with an injury, skated with the team Tuesday but head coach Kris Knoblauch said he鈥檚 likely out for a week. ... Leon Draisaitl, home in Germany dealing with a personal matter, is expected back in Edmonton later this week.
This report by 好色tvwas first published Jan. 20, 2026.
