The Edmonton Oilers are not only reeling from two consecutive losses at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames, respectively, but the Oilers community has also been unable to fully digest successive episodes of Zach Hyman’s exclusion from Team Canada for the Olympics.
How Did the Oilers Community React to Yet Another Olympic Zach Hyman Snub?
Hyman, a rooting presence on the ice and inside the Oilers locker room, is the team’s cornerstone and a favourite in the community. Consequently, the social media response in the aftermath of yet another instance of Hyman’s exclusion from the roster has been extensive and unforgiving.
Hyman’s absence from the original list was unsatisfactory enough, but successive snubs simply add insult to injury. Recently, news emerged that the Florida Panthers’ Sam Bennett will replace Anthony Cirelli in the wake of the latter’s injury.
Social media soon erupted with stern reactions from many in the Oilers community, who believed Hyman’s exclusion from the team was totally unwarranted. The dissatisfaction from the Bennett-Hyman discourse had barely dissipated when the community was compelled to grapple with another.
The veteran winger has been snubbed yet again. Much to the dismay of the Oilers community, Seth Jarvis has replaced Brayden Point in the quest to bring glory to Canada. It goes without saying that diehard Oilers fans are not too happy about it.
“I do not care to trample on the Olympic dream of any Canadian willing to represent their country. But I will say that I believe it is a grave error not to add Zach Hyman to this club. Perhaps I will be proven wrong,” contributing writer to the Edmonton Journal, Kurt Leavins, shared on his social media. While Leavins hopes for the best, he maintains that leaving Hyman out of the lineup was not the best decision.
“Gotta say I’m surprised it’s not Zach Hyman… I know fit matters, including positional fit, but Hyman has been unreal since he came back from injury after missing first month + of the szn. Hyman is 8th in goals in NHL since season debut November 15. Stats since 11/15: #LetsGoOilers,” Jack Jablonski opined on his X account, expressing his shock at yet another instance of Hyman’s exclusion.
“One of the most difficult things in the NHL is to mesh with a superstar like Connor McDavid. Dozens have tried and failed. But one guy, Zach Hyman, has aced it. How can Team Canada management fail to grasp that? Dunderheads,” Cult of Hockey founder David Staples emphasized Hyman’s immense familiarity with Connor McDavid and how Hyman’s exclusion could hamper Team Canada on this front.
“Should’ve probably seen another Zach Hyman snub coming,” Oilersnation’s Liam Horrobin stated in a taciturn manner.
Evidently, many in the Oilers community are thoroughly dejected by the turn of events, but what matters, at the end of the day, is rooting for Team Canada regardless of everything as it battles formidable opponents in Italy to fetch unparalleled glory for the country.
