Zach Hyman’s Olympic Snub: A Missed Opportunity for Team Canada?
Game one is in the books, and Canada opened the 2026 Winter Olympics with a commanding win over Czechia - a performance that looked more like an All-Star showcase than a tightly contested international tilt. The Canadians came out flying, flexing their depth and dominance across the board.
But even in a game where everything clicked, one question still lingers, especially for fans in Edmonton: *Why isn’t Zach Hyman on this team? *
Hyman has been nothing short of outstanding this season. With 36 points in 39 games, he’s been a driving force for the Oilers and a key contributor alongside Connor McDavid.
He’s not just piling up stats - he’s doing it with purpose, grit, and that relentless motor that shows up in all the little moments that don’t always make the highlight reel. For a player who left such a mark on last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs - and whose absence was sorely felt after an injury against Dallas - it’s a tough pill to swallow seeing him left off Canada’s Olympic roster.
The Case for Wilson
Now, to be fair, Tom Wilson isn’t just here to fill a spot. He’s earned his place.
With 49 points in 50 games for the Capitals, Wilson’s having a strong year. He brings a physical edge that few in the league can match, and his inclusion likely wasn’t just about numbers - it was about tone-setting.
That was on full display during the 4 Nations Faceoff, where things got heated and the Tkachuk brothers stirred the pot. Wilson’s presence serves as a deterrent, a reminder that Canada won’t be pushed around.
But here’s where it gets interesting: in Canada’s Olympic opener, McDavid was, as expected, electric - three assists in his Olympic debut. Macklin Celebrini added a goal off a slick feed from No.
- Wilson?
He finished with just one shot on goal. It’s only one game, sure, but it opens the door to a fair question: *What would Hyman have done in that spot?
The Numbers Behind the Chemistry
Let’s dig into the numbers. When McDavid and Hyman share the ice - and they’ve done so for 705 minutes this season - the results are eye-popping.
That duo has combined for 75 goals and over 260 high-danger scoring chances. That’s 1.92 goals per game when they’re on the ice together.
Hyman himself has 22 goals in 39 games - that’s 0.56 goals per game, and a big chunk of those have come off plays set up by McDavid.
But here’s the stat that really jumps off the page: McDavid’s high-danger scoring chances (HDCF) nearly double when Hyman is on his wing. In similar minutes played, McDavid has generated 267 high-danger chances with Hyman, compared to just 148 without him. That’s not just synergy - that’s chemistry you can build a gold medal around.
So while it’s easy to assume McDavid drives offense no matter who’s beside him - and to be fair, he usually does - the data makes a compelling case that Hyman doesn’t just ride shotgun; he fuels the engine.
A Numbers Game for Team Canada
The reality for Team Canada is this: every Olympic cycle, tough decisions have to be made. There are simply too many elite players and not enough spots.
Wilson brings his own brand of value - toughness, experience, and the ability to play a heavy game when things get chippy. Hyman, meanwhile, offers a different toolkit - relentless forechecking, net-front presence, and proven chemistry with the best player on the planet.
It’s not about saying one player doesn’t belong. It’s about asking what kind of team Canada wants to be when the games get tighter, the stakes get higher, and one bounce can decide a medal. In a single-elimination tournament, familiarity and chemistry can be the difference between heartbreak and hardware.
And when it comes to Hyman and McDavid, we already know what that looks like. We've seen it in the NHL night after night.
The numbers back it up. The eye test confirms it.
And for Canadian fans - especially those in Edmonton - it’s hard not to wonder what could’ve been.