Zach Hyman Out for Stanley Cup Finals, But Oilers Count on Depth to Challenge Panthers
The Edmonton Oilers will take on the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals starting June 4—but without one of their toughest forwards, Zach Hyman. Hyman sustained an upper-body injury during the Western Conference Finals and underwent surgery on May 28, ruling him out of the championship series. Though sidelined, Hyman remains a vocal supporter, stating, “I can’t wait to support the boys in every way I can!”
Before the injury, Hyman had featured in all 15 playoff games, tallying 5 goals, 6 assists, and a +10 rating—tied for fourth-best on the team. Even more impressively, his physical game stood out. With 111 hits, he led all playoff players, well ahead of Florida’s Sam Bennett, who had 85. His absence is undoubtedly a blow to Edmonton, but Panthers coach Paul Maurice made it clear he isn’t dwelling on it. Instead, he emphasized the threat posed by the Oilers’ offensive powerhouses, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Maurice praised Edmonton’s elite offensive talent, saying their top two stars are “by an order of magnitude more offensively elite than most players in this league.” McDavid currently leads the playoffs with 26 points, while Draisaitl is close behind with 25. The Panthers’ top scorer, Aleksander Barkov, trails with 17.
Both teams have bolstered their lineups since their last Finals meeting. The Panthers added veterans like Brad Marchand, Seth Jones, and Nate Schmidt, improving both leadership and depth. The Oilers responded with acquisitions like Trent Frederic, Vasily Podkolzin, and John Klingberg. Notably, Jake Walman leads the team in plus-minus at +12, a strong sign of the team’s two-way capabilities.
Maurice acknowledged the evolution of both teams, pointing out that Edmonton, once known mostly for offense, has significantly improved defensively. He added that his Panthers, always solid on defense, have sharpened their attack in the back half of the playoffs.
Edmonton’s response to Hyman’s injury has been confident. Veteran Evander Kane emphasized the team’s ability to step up: “We have a lot more depth throughout the entirety of our lineup. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to use that depth and get the job done without him.” In Game 4 of the WCF, Podkolzin filled in with 8 hits, and Jeff Skinner, another recent signing, scored in Game 5.
Corey Perry noted that while Hyman’s unique presence can’t be fully replaced, the team has capable players ready to fill the void. Head coach Kris Knoblauch echoed that confidence, saying this year’s Oilers are deeper and more defensively sound than last season.
For the Oilers, the message is clear: this is not the same team that lost to the Panthers last year. With their lineup depth and star power, Edmonton is ready for a rematch—and determined not to walk away empty-handed again.