Elliotte Friedman says Zach Hyman is 100% capable of taking Olympic roster spot

The conversation around Team Canada's roster for the upcoming Olympics took an interesting turn over the weekend when NHL insider Elliotte Friedman endorsed Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman as a legitimate replacement option for injured forward Brayden Point.

During Hockey Day in Canada's broadcast panel discussion, Friedman didn't mince words when assessing Hyman's candidacy for the prestigious tournament.

"Team Canada is on record saying they're taking guys to replace guys' roles," Friedman explained during the broadcast. "Do you see Point as a top-six winger or a guy who goes through the lineup? If you see Point as a top-six winger, 100% I think Hyman could take that role."

The endorsement carries significant weight coming from one of hockey's most connected voices. Friedman's assessment was echoed by fellow panelist Kevin Bieksa who pointed out Hyman's proven compatibility with Connor McDavid and his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game.

"We know he compliments McDavid, we know he can score and go to the net," Bieksa noted. "Now with the Point injury, you're thinking about who could come in—a guy who's playing his best hockey, he's hot, he's got chemistry. Why not?"

Brayden Point's injury has created the ultimate opportunity for Zach Hyman

Point's week-to-week designation has brought uncertainty for Team Canada's management with the timeline making his availability for Canada's February 12th Olympic opener increasingly doubtful. This opens the door for someone to seize an unexpected opportunity to represent their country on hockey's biggest international stage.

Since returning from his own injury on December 1st, Zach Hyman has been nothing short of spectacular. His recent production places him among elite company. He ranks fifth among all NHL players in points with 23 and sits third in goals with 15 during that span.

Remarkably, the only Canadian players ahead of him statistically are Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini and Mark Stone, all of whom are already secured roster spots for Team Canada.

The McDavid factor

Perhaps Hyman's most compelling credential is his established chemistry with McDavid who will undoubtedly feature prominently in Canada's Olympic plans.

Their on-ice connection has been refined over multiple seasons in Edmonton with the instant synergy that international tournaments with their compressed preparation timelines desperately value.

This familiarity could prove decisive when Team Canada's brain trust evaluates potential replacements who can contribute immediately.

Hyman faces stiff competition from a talented pool of Canadian standby players including Sam Bennett, Mark Scheifele, Steven Stamkos,Wyatt Johnston, Travis Konecny, Connor Bedard and Seth Jarvis. Each brings unique qualities to the table, making Hockey Canada's eventual decision far from straightforward.

However, when combining current form and proven chemistry with a cornerstone player and versatility Hyman presents a uniquely compelling package that addresses multiple priorities simultaneously.

Safe to say, Zach Hyman's Olympic aspirations remain very much alive and according to Elliotte Friedman, entirely justified.