The Oilers' Zach Hyman and the Leafs' John Tavares were left off Canada's team at the 4 Nations Face-Off. And both veterans have been thriving in the wake of the snubbing.
Edmonton Oilers left winger Zach Hyman is regarded as one of hockey’s nicest guys, but even the best-mannered athletes can still feel snubbed.
That was the case when Hyman was left off Canada’s roster at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
When the Canadian roster was revealed on Dec. 3, Hyman was missing from the lineup and hadn't had the same goal-scoring touch as last season. But since then, Hyman has been an absolute beast on offense, and he’s making Canadian GM Don Sweeney have some second thoughts about leaving him off the roster.
Since Hyman returned to the Oilers’ lineup on Dec. 5, he’s had at least one goal in all but one of Edmonton's nine games. In that span, Hyman has generated a whopping 10 goals and 11 points to give him 13 goals and 19 points in 29 games this season.
Hyman’s goal-scoring pace won’t get him near the 54-goal pace he was on last season, but the Oilers don’t need him to produce that much offense. If Hyman continues to put up nearly a goal per game, Edmonton will win many more games than they lose.
Once Hyman returned, the Oilers were as dangerous as any team. Edmonton’s 9-2-0 record in its last 11 games was no coincidence. The Oilers know what they’ll get with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but when Hyman is chipping in a solid amount of offense, Edmonton will be a very tough team to beat.
Hyman isn’t the only one who has reacted well to being snubbed in the 4 Nations Face-Off roster reveals.
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares has also thrived of late, posting six goals and 12 points in 11 games since Canada’s roster was announced.
Tavares has been more consistent with his offensive production this season and now has 17 goals and 34 points in 34 games. Few NHLers are as dependable to be a point-per-game player as Tavares is, and he definitely would’ve been a solid addition – at both ends of the ice – to Canada’s 4 Nations lineup.
As many have noted, Canada could ice a second team at the 4 Nations Face-Off and still be competitive. Hyman and Tavares would easily be on that theoretical second Canadian squad. Both veterans are renowned for their dedication to the game and their admirable temperament. If Canada doesn’t win the 4 Nations Face-Off, people will point to the absence of Hyman and Tavares as key reasons for failing to succeed in a high-stakes tournament.
Tavares and Hyman have been playing with a chip on their shoulder of late, and rightfully so. Sweeney gave them ample motivation to prove him wrong, and Hyman and Tavares are now contributing great things to the Oilers and Leafs, respectively.
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