Oilers Expect Hyman Back Saturday; Dach and Walman Likely to Play
Zach Hyman is expected to return to Edmonton's lineup Saturday against Utah after missing six games with an upper-body injury. Colton Dach and Jake Walman are also likely to play, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could return late next week and Jason Dickinson during the upcoming homestand. Hyman has appeared in only one game this season, logging 20:33 in the opener.
Edmonton's lineup could receive several reinforcements. Hyman has been sidelined for six contests by an upper-body issue; his lone 2026-27 appearance came in the opener, when he logged 20:33 against Vancouver and recorded three shots and two hits. Dach has not played since Oct. 3 and remains on injured reserve, so activating him would require a corresponding roster move. Walman has been out since Oct. 7 and is still seeking his first point.
Nugent-Hopkins, who has yet to debut because of a lower-body injury, may return next Thursday versus Carolina or Oct. 24 versus Toronto. Dickinson is expected back during the coming homestand. Edmonton sits 5-1-1, second in the Pacific behind Vegas, after a 4-2 loss to Utah. Hyman posted 31 goals and 52 points in 58 games last season.
Count words. First para: Edmonton's(1) lineup(2) could(3) receive(4) several(5) reinforcements(6). Hyman(7) has(8) been(9) sidelined(10) for(11) six(12) contests(13) by(14) an(15) upper-body(16) issue(17); his(18) lone(19) 2026-27(20) appearance(21) came(22) in(23) the(24) opener(25), when(26) he(27) logged(28) 20:33(29) against(30) Vancouver(31) and(32) recorded(33) three(34) shots(35) and(36) two(37) hits(38). Dach(39) has(40) not(41) played(42) since(43) Oct.(44) 3(45) and(46) remains(47) on(48) injured(49) reserve(50), so(51) activating(52) him(53) would(54) require(55) a(56) corresponding(57) roster(58) move(59). Walman(60) has(61) been(62) out(63) since(64) Oct.(65) 7(66) and(67) is(68) still(69) seek
The Oilers' injury returns could affect more than the standings. A fuller lineup may reduce the burden on Edmonton's star forwards, potentially improving performance and fan engagement during the homestand. For players, recovery timelines may influence roster decisions and career management; for supporters, clearer updates can sustain interest. The team's results could also shape the Pacific Division race, local game-day activity, and how fans discuss player health and workload. Count: The1 Oilers'2 injury3 returns4 could5 affect6 more7 than8 the9 standings10. A11 fuller12 lineup13 may14 reduce15 the16 burden17 on18 Edmonton's19 star20 forwards21, potentially22 improving23 performance24 and25 fan26 engagement27 during28 the29 homestand30. For31 players32, recovery33 timelines34 may35 influence36 roster37 decisions38 and39 career40 management41; for42 supporters43, clearer44 updates45 can46 sustain47 interest48. The49 team's50 results51 could52 also53 shape54 the55 Pacific56 Division57