Oilers' Zach Hyman Placed on IR With Stiff Neck

The Edmonton Oilers have placed forward Zach Hyman on injured reserve with what has been described as a stiff neck, a blow to a lineup that was hoping to get healthier, not thinner.

Hyman left the game against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday in the second period after taking a hit along the boards from Andreas Englund. He needed help getting off the ice, raising immediate concern about the severity of the injury.

Coach Mike Babcock confirmed the Hyman news on Wednesday, saying Hyman is on IR with a “stiff neck.” He also acknowledged the impact on the team after the game Monday night. “I didn’t like to see Hym’s go,” Babcock said. “We’re hoping to get guys back, not losing more guys. That affected our lineup a bit.”

The IR placement does open the door for a corresponding move. Moving Hyman to injured reserve will allow the club to activate Jason Dickinson from IR, and he is expected to play tonight if cleared. He is expected to play as Edmonton hosts Calgary in the Battle of Alberta. 

Hyman’s absence is a significant one for Edmonton, as he is a key part of the lineup. There is no timetable yet for his return, and further updates are expected as the team learns more about his condition.

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