In recent months, the majority of projections for Canada's 4 Nations Face-off roster included Zach Hyman, and understandably so. Last season saw him score a career-high 54 goals, followed by an NHL-best 16 more during the Edmonton Oilers' playoff run all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
However, when Canada's final 23-man roster was officially announced on Dec. 5, it was conspicuous for the absence of Hyman. Harsh or not, this was as a result of him only scoring three goals in his first 20 games of the 2024-25 campaign, looking little like the player who had thrived during his first three seasons in Edmonton.
There is a well known saying that form is temporary, but class is permanent, and based on Hyman's play since that announcement, we would regard him as exhibit A in this respect. In fact, he's been as good as at any time since he signed his seven-year, $38.5 million deal to join the Oilers.
Start as you mean to go on
In a beautifully poetic case of timing and/or irony, the announcement of Canada's roster came on the same day Hyman was due to make his first appearance back from an injury which had caused him to miss five games. He scored two goals that night against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 6-3 win, and he hasn't been able to stop ever since.
In nine games since the 32-year-old made his aforementioned return from injury, he has scored 10 goals. As a result, he leads the NHL in scoring so far for the month of December, which is a testament to just how well he's playing right now.
It could well be just pure coincidence, but it's tough to dismiss the notion that Hyman's play has been inspired by the recent snub from Canada's roster. Not that he would ever admit this, given that he has not discussed the matter with anyone, at least publicly.
Irrespective of the Toronto native's true feelings, there's no doubt that the Oilers are benefitting from his recent jump in productivity. They have won eight of the nine games since he returned from injury, including Sunday night's 3-1 victory against the Ottawa Senators, when his powerplay goal in the second period gave the team a lead which they would not relinquish.
Hyman talks about being in a zone
Speaking to the media following the game, Hyman was asked about his recent vein of rich form. As per Jamie Umbach of NHL.com, he said:
"When you're feeling good, things are easier. Obviously, things slow down. When you're not feeling good, everything seems fast, so I'm the same player, but I think having played in this league a long time, I recognise that so much of hockey and sports are results-driven. And when you're not getting the results, you know that it's about the process and about getting your looks and getting your chances and being around it."
For a lot of players, enduring a slump like Hyman did earlier this season would have been a tough thing to bounce back from. However, when you've got a proven track record of success like the winger has, you keep the faith, as he said:
"I think you can find confidence in a number of ways, and having scored in this league a long time, you can find confidence in knowing that if you continue to get the chances, they're going to go in."
Prior to his injury, Hyman was projected to finish the 2024-25 campaign with 12 goals, which would have been his fewest since 10 in his first full NHL season back in 2016-17. Even as he was struggling though, it was tough to envision him not rediscovering his scoring touch, especially playing alongside a certain Connor McDavid.
By the same token, the 2010 fifth round draft pick also isn't expected to keep up his current ratio of goals-per-game indefinitely. However, you can still see a scenario where he surpasses the second-most goals of his career, with him scoring 36 just two seasons ago. (Heck, not even a broken nose can stop him at the moment.)
Ultimately though, the Oilers and their fans are just happy to see Hyman back to scoring regularly, proving once again how important he is to their chances of returning to the Stanley Cup Final. And seemingly, it's all thanks to Canada's decision to snub him from their roster for the 4 Nations Face-off tournament.