While the Edmonton Oilers Skate, Try to show Rookies well in games and start training camps, there is a question mark alongside the name of Zach Hyman. He is expected to be a large part of the 2025-26 season, but the uncertainty remains whether he will be ready for the opener. That means that the oilers have to find someone to fill the void in the opening weeks.
Hyman recovers from a disrupted wrist ago during the final of the Western Conference. He says it’s going well, but he is not sure if he will be ready for game one. Does the team have the depth they need, or do they have another wing player who is able to do something in the vicinity of what Hyman can do?
After the Oilers switched from Corey Perry, Connor Brown, Evander Kane, Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson and the Oilers raises two rookies in Ike Howard and Matt Savoie, together with a former wing player of 35 goals in Andrew Mangiapane. This means that 63 goals disappeared during the regular season, with a total of 14 goals in the NHL between the three incoming attackers.
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Mangiapane, 29, will probably see the top six minutes next to Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, and he is the early gamble to play a greater role. His two most recent seasons include a serious dip in scoring. The oilers bet there is more of his game as a member of the Calgary Flames in him.
What about the oilers smokies?
In addition to Mangiapane, the oilers count on younger players to perform.
Ike Howard, the winner of Reigning Hobey Baker Award, comes from Boston College and was taken over in an exchange with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He could see the early top-six minutes.
Matt Savoie, who impressed the AHL last season and appeared in four NHL matches, is expected to play a Middle-Zes role. He already scored two goals in the Rookie games. He feels confident and wants to take the next step.
The oilers are looking for one of these three players to see and run with it. Their games are not identical to those of Hyman, but their speed and score skills can help produce points that Hyman leaves off the ice while he is gone.
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