The Edmonton Oilers have repeatedly struck out on big moves during the McDavid era. Whether it was locking in Darnell Nurse to a bloated contract or whiffing on a couple of pricey goalies, it makes one wonder where the team would be if they hadn’t hit a home run when they signed Zach Hyman.

Ken Holland’s crowning achievement as Oilers GM was signing Hyman to a seven-year, $5.5 million contract in the 2021 offseason.

He quickly gelled with Connor McDavid thanks to his relentless forechecking and net-front game. McDavid and Hyman are plus-59 together at five-on-five, over the past three seasons, with McDavid dropping to minus-seven without him.

Their chemistry was instrumental in Edmonton’s back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final. The team sorely missed him in the 2025 rematch against the Florida Panthers.

Hyman couldn’t compete in that series thanks to a wrist injury he suffered in the Western Conference Final. That same injury sidelined him for the first month of the 2025-26 season, and the club felt his absence once again. McDavid lost his five-on-five minutes 17-15 during the 20 games without him.

When Hyman returned to the lineup, he took a few weeks to get back up to speed, but eventually, he looked like his old self. He erupted for 21 goals during a red-hot 28-game stretch spanning most of December and January. His play pushed him into the conversation for a spot on Canada’s Olympic team, but the decision makers ultimately went in a different direction.

Hyman finished the season with 52 points in 58 games, still putting together one of his most productive seasons at age 33. On April 4, Kris Knoblauch announced that Hyman would be sidelined for up to two weeks thanks to a lingering injury. He returned just in time for the playoffs, but didn’t look healthy. He scored just two points in six games while sporting a 45.3 per cent expected goal share. A disappointing finish to another solid season.

For a physical player, Hyman has had surprisingly good durability throughout his Oilers tenure. He played at least 73 games in four consecutive seasons. But some cracks in the armour have appeared lately, with the two injuries in the past calendar year.

Hyman will be 34 years old next season, and while he’s continued to perform like a top-line player, the Oilers must be proactive. Age catches up with every player eventually. Whether it’s through declining performance or an increased frequency of injuries, the club should expect more signs of age soon.

Bob Stauffer recently created some buzz on X, when he suggested that the Oilers should go after a top-six forward. Some may not see the need for another offensive player, considering goal scoring hasn’t been their issue. But Hyman isn’t getting any younger, and he only has two years remaining on his contract. He showed this season that he still has the juice to make a difference. The question is: How much longer can he keep it up? And can the Oilers get a succession plan in place?