The Edmonton Oilers got an injury update on Zach Hyman before the questions even started at morning skate, and the news may be a little better than it first looked.
Head coach Mike Babcock said Hyman is out with a “stiff neck,” after the forward was placed on injured reserve. The injury came in Monday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, when Hyman left after taking a hit along the boards from Andreas Englund. He had to be helped off the ice and never returned.
At first glance, it looked like it could have been a concussion issue after Hyman banged the back of his head on the glass. He held his visor and went down slowly after absorbing the hit, which immediately raised concern that the absence might stretch beyond a week. For an Oilers team already dealing with a rash of injuries, that was the last thing they needed.
Babcock said after the game that he did not like how it looked, adding: “I didn’t like to see Hym’s go,”We’re hoping to get guys back, not losing more guys. That affected our lineup a bit.”
The move to injured reserve does create a path for Jason Dickinson. With Hyman on IR, a roster spot opens up for Dickinson to be activated, and he is expected to return tonight if he is cleared. He would likely slide back into the lineup when Edmonton hosts Calgary in the Battle of Alberta.
It’s a significant absence either way for Edmonton. The Oilers have seen their game come back down to earth after a fast start, while Calgary enters on the heels of a dominant win. Edmonton will be looking to steady itself, and the lineup should get a little help if Dickinson is indeed good to go.
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For Oilers fans, the part worth watching is whether this stays confined to a brief absence or develops into something more complicated. The team is treating the situation cautiously, and with Hyman now on injured reserve, every update will matter for a lineup that can least afford to lose another key piece for long. [Read more 🡒]