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Zach Hyman and what true leadership looks like

3 18
18.11.2025
Zach Hyman isn’t wearing a letter on his jersey (yet). He’s not the one giving postgame speeches or handling media responsibilities when things go wrong. But what he brings to the Edmonton Oilers goes beyond any official leadership designation. It’s the kind of leadership that shows up in how other players compete when he’s in the lineup.

Let’s start with Carolina. Hyman returned after missing 19 games, led the team with 11 hits in his season debut, and suddenly the entire roster played with an intensity that’s been missing all year. That’s not a coincidence. That’s what happens when a player leads by example in ways that force everyone else to match his standard.

Leadership isn’t always about words. Sometimes it’s about setting a tone that makes it uncomfortable for teammates to give anything less than full effort. Hyman does that every shift. He goes to the net. He battles in corners. He takes punishment in front of goalies. He does the work that nobody wants to do but everyone knows needs doing.

“We weren’t exactly sure what to get from him in his first game, but he looked like what we’re used to,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch. “He picked up right where he left off, the way he was playing in the playoffs.

“He told me his legs are feeling great. Playing 23 minutes is not an easy task for a guy who hadn’t played in seven months.”

When your teammate comes back from........

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