When you look for underappreciated players in the NHL, look no further than Zach Hyman. Throughout the season, he has time and time again proven why the long-term contract he signed was a steal. Aside from being strong offensively, Hyman is not afraid to get into the dirty areas and get physical but can play a sound two-way game that has stayed consistent in his time with Edmonton. At the age of 30, Hyman was expected by many fans to begin slowing down, but he has done just the opposite. After being snubbed out of an all-star appearance, here are Hyman’s grades as we enter the final stretch of the season:
Scoring: A
Playmaking: A
Defensive Game: A-
Special Teams: A+
Overall Grade: A
With 26 goals and 34 assists for 60 points through 49 games, Hyman is over a point per game with the Oil this season. His offensive ability stands out, and he has been something the team has been looking for, for years. After a few seasons of relying on the two-headed monster of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Hyman has come in and been a breath of fresh air. He has been one of the reasons the team is as successful as it is at this point, and he has proven he can play during big moments whether in the playoffs or in a must-win game during the regular season.
I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but Hyman is another player whose overall play I don’t expect to diminish in the last stretch of the season. The Oilers have proven themselves as a second-half-of-the-season team, and Hyman is no exception. I can see him finishing the year with 35 goals and 65 assists. I think this could be the year we see Zach Hyman break 100 points with the Oilers, but it’ll be close.