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31 Oilers Questions: Is Zach Hyman due for a decline in 2026-27?
Photo credit: © Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Aug 31, 2026, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 31, 2026, 16:58 EDT
Heading into the 2026-27 season, Oilersnation will ask one question about every Edmonton Oilers player projected to be on the 2026-27 roster in preparation for the upcoming season. From Connor McDavid to Mattias Janmark, let’s ask some questions.
The best free agent signing in Edmonton Oilers’ history is Zach Hyman, and it isn’t particularly close. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 draft, the Torontonian joined his hometown organization after four seasons at the University of Michigan. With the Toronto Maple Leafs, Hyman blossomed into a solid middle-six option.
Entering the 2021-22 off-season as an unrestricted free agent, Hyman signed a seven-year deal worth $38.5 million, or $5.5 million annually. He’s been worth every cent, as Hyman’s production has ballooned since signing.
Although the Oilers have got their money’s worth, the back-end of Hyman’s contract was always the biggest question mark. Now 34 years old, will the 2026-27 season finally be the year that Hyman’s play declines?
Is Zach Hyman due for a decline in 2026-27?
Hyman set a then career-high of 27 goals in 2021-22, followed by 36 goals and 83 points in 2022-23. In 2023-24, Hyman became one of just 102 players in NHL history to reach the 50-goal plateau in a season, scoring a career-high 54 goals. This alone makes the contract worth it, no matter what happens in the next two seasons.
The winger’s 2024-25 saw him score just 27 goals and 44 points in 73 games, the worst season he had as an Oiler in terms of production. After scoring 16 goals in the 2024 postseason, something that hadn’t been done since the 1990s, Hyman scored five goals and 11 points in 15 playoff games in the 2025 postseason.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference final, Hyman’s postseason ended, as he collided with Mason Marchment and dislocated his wrist. The Oilers once again fell to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final, with Hyman’s absence being incredibly noticeable. It also led to Hyman missing the first 19 games of the 2025-26 season, and a bit longer to actually get going.
By the 11th game he played, Hyman had just two goals and six points. Then he scored a hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings, starting a 33-game stretch where he scored 25 goals and 37 points.
Like most Oilers, injuries hampered Hyman down the stretch, missing five of the Oilers’ last six games. It was clear injuries played a factor in his postseason as well, scoring just two goals in the six games the Oilers played against the Ducks.
Still, Hyman finished the regular season with 31 goals and 52 points in 58 games, on pace for 43 goals and 73 points if he had played 82 games. He’s missed some time with injuries the last two seasons, but that type of production isn’t the sign of someone on the decline.
What it comes down to is whether his body can hold up. A power forward, Hyman is one of the best net-front goal scorers in the league. But of course, being that net-front presence for as long as he has also wears on the body. The good news is that up until last season, Hyman played at least 73 or more games in a season since joining the Oilers, while his injury was on the fluky side.
Hyman will surely never score 70 goals in a season as he did in 2023-24, but a major decline (think Milan Lucic) seems rather improbable. He still figures to be an important part of the Oilers’ power play and top-six.
Other Oilers questions…
- Where will Max Jones begin the season?
- Can Isaac Howard take a step forward like Matthew Savoie did in 2025-26?
- Can Tristan Jarry bounce back in 2026-27?
- Which offseason acquisition will have the greatest impact on the Oilers?
- To trade or keep Spencer Stastney?
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFOEdmonton, DFOCalgary, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on X at @Ryley__Delaney.
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Edmonton OilersTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$102,071,666
$88,322,500
Projected Cap Space
$1,928,334
$25,177,500
Current Cap Space
$1,928,334
$25,177,500
Active Players
22/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'26
'27
1
0
0
2
1
1
3
1
0