Ex-NHL goalie Martin Biron labels $38,500,000 ex-Maple Leafs star as Oilers' 'X Factor'

By Jackson Weber

Modified Dec 20, 2024 17:13 GMT

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Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman had a slow start to his 2024-2025 season. After a career-high 54 goals in the 2023-2024 regular season, and 16 more in the Oilers' run to the Stanley Cup Finals, it was a surprise to see Hyman take 11 games to pot his first goal this season. His slow start appears to be behind now, as Hyman has scored eight goals in his last seven games, with Edmonton going 6-1-0 during that stretch.

Former NHL goaltender Martin Biron while appearing on TSN believes Hyman is currently the straw that stirs the drink for the Edmonton Oilers. Here's what he had to say on SC with Jay Onrait last night.

"You look at Hyman, I think he's the X Factor. In the first 20 games of the season, the Oilers were 10-8-2. We all know that Hyman only had three goals in the first 20 games, He was still getting chances. He was just not converting those chances," said Biron

Biron then pointed out how Hyman and the team were starting to heat up.

"But in the last seven games, Zach Hyman has been expected to score a goal per game. That is amazing... Now, with Hyman scoring, you're still getting McDavid getting his points, and Draisaitl too, but Hyman is adding a layer now, and it is producing wins, not just goals, but wins for the team... He's been fantastic as of late," added Biron.

Timestamp: 00:41 onwards

Hyman signed a seven-year, $5,500,000 contract totaling $38.5 million back in July 2021 with Edmonton. So far, the numbers have certainly shown that Hyman's production and impact on the team have been worth the contract for the Oilers.

Oilers Leon Draisaitl recently took a playful dig at Zach Hyman over his nose injury

During Monday's 6-5 loss to the Florida Panthers Hyman took an Evan Bouchard shot to the face off a deflection. Hyman suffered a broken nose but has remained in the lineup despite the injury.

His teammate Leon Draisaitl had a funny comment on Hyman's broken nose.

"It’s tough. Everyone plays through stuff. But that's a different type of scare, right? Obviously, it wasn't the first time - him breaking his nose. I'm sure he's got some experience, if you want to say. He's obviously a warrior. He'll play through anything really. (He) just plays hard, plays the right way," Draisaitl said.

Hyman has shown his toughness by playing through the injury wearing a full face shield for protection. It didn't slow down the Oilers winger as he recorded one goal and one assist in Edmonton's 3-2 overtime win over the Bruins on Thursday night.

Hyman and the Oilers will be back in action at home on Saturday to face rookie sensation Mackin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks. Puck drops at 4:00 p.m. EST, December 21.