“WOULD’VE KICKED IN A FEW GOALS!” — Don Cherry Says $38.5M Zach Hyman Injury Cost Oilers the Cup: Blames Final Loss on Superstar’s Absence
Don Cherry has never been shy about expressing his opinions, especially when it comes to Canadian hockey teams and players he feels passionate about. This time, the spotlight is firmly on Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who Cherry believes could have been the missing ingredient in the Oilers’ failed bid for the Stanley Cup. Speaking candidly on his podcast, Cherry didn’t mince words about the impact Hyman’s absence had in the Stanley Cup Final, and he placed a significant portion of the blame on the Oilers’ inability to close the deal on the loss of their \$38.5 million man. “He would’ve kicked in a few goals, no question,” Cherry said, his voice tinged with both frustration and admiration. “The guy was having a career year, playing with heart, grit, and a nose for the net. You lose that kind of guy at the worst time, and it’s going to cost you. And it did.”
Zach Hyman was injured in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, dislocating his wrist in a collision along the boards. At the time, Edmonton managed to power through the rest of the series and book a spot in the Final, but something felt off from the start of the championship series. Without Hyman’s relentless forechecking, his net-front presence, and his uncanny ability to find the back of the net in clutch moments, the Oilers’ offense sputtered. For all the brilliance of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the void left by Hyman was glaring. Cherry pointed this out emphatically, remarking that Hyman’s blue-collar effort and scoring touch is what separates good teams from Cup-winning teams.
Hyman had scored 54 goals during the regular season, the highest total of his career and one that established him as one of the premier power forwards in the league. He was a catalyst all season long, doing the dirty work in the corners, parking himself in front of goalies, and finishing with the type of tenacity that can’t be taught. His chemistry with McDavid was undeniable, and their one-two punch on the top line gave opposing teams fits. But in the Final, as the Oilers faced a tenacious and opportunistic Florida Panthers squad, Edmonton simply didn’t have enough punch. Cherry zeroed in on that, saying, “You can’t tell me if Hyman was in the lineup, he wouldn’t have popped in a couple. That series was tighter than people think. One goal here or there and it changes everything.”
What made the situation even more frustrating for Oilers fans and Cherry alike is that Hyman tried everything he could to return. Reports indicate that he skated during practices with a heavily taped wrist and even took light shooting reps, but the injury ultimately proved too limiting. A dislocated wrist is one of the worst possible injuries for a player who relies on battling in tight areas and generating shots from tough angles. Cherry, while acknowledging the medical realities, still lamented that one of Edmonton’s most important players was out when it mattered most. “It’s bad luck, yeah. But it’s heartbreaking,” Cherry said. “This guy left it all out there all season long, and just when they needed him most, his body let him down. Not his fault, but you just hate to see it.”
Cherry’s comments have stirred up debate across the hockey world. Some agree wholeheartedly, pointing out that the Oilers lacked the secondary scoring and greasy goals that Hyman had delivered all season. Others suggest that Edmonton still had enough star power to get the job done, and that blaming the loss on one injury is oversimplifying things. But Cherry stood by his words, doubling down during follow-up interviews. “This guy wasn’t just any player. He was their heartbeat. You need grit in the Final. You need guys who go to war in the corners and take the punishment to score. Hyman was that guy.”
Hyman’s injury came at a cruel time. The Oilers were riding high, having just eliminated a dangerous Dallas team, and optimism was surging through Edmonton. The city had waited decades for another legitimate shot at the Cup, and everything seemed to be aligning. But the injury cast a pall over the celebrations. Without Hyman, the Oilers had to shuffle their lines, and the ripple effect was felt throughout the roster. McDavid and Draisaitl took on even more responsibility, and while both played admirably, the spark that Hyman brought was irreplaceable. His unique blend of skill, work ethic, and toughness can’t simply be replicated.
Cherry also took a moment to highlight how Hyman’s story is one of the great underdog tales in recent NHL history. Drafted 123rd overall in 2010 by the Florida Panthers, Hyman took an unconventional path to stardom. He played college hockey at Michigan, bet on himself in contract negotiations, and eventually signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. There, he developed a reputation as a relentless forechecker and glue guy. But it wasn’t until his move to Edmonton that his offensive game truly exploded. Cherry praised Hyman’s perseverance and development, saying, “You look at this kid, how he grinded his way to the top. He wasn’t handed anything. That’s why you root for a guy like that. That’s why losing him hurts so much. He earned every bit of that \$38 million.”
The Oilers now face an offseason of reflection. The question on everyone’s mind is what could have been. Would a healthy Zach Hyman have been the X-factor that pushed them over the top? Would his presence have opened up space for McDavid and Draisaitl? Would he have delivered the key goal in a tightly contested Game 5 or 6? Cherry believes the answer to all those questions is yes. “The margin in these series is razor-thin,” he said. “One bounce, one goal, one battle won in the corner. That’s what Hyman brings. They didn’t have it when it counted.”
As the city of Edmonton grapples with another near-miss, the fans’ admiration for Hyman has only grown. Many took to social media to thank him for his effort and to express hope that he returns stronger next season. The Oilers have a core capable of contending for years to come, but questions remain about durability and depth. Hyman’s injury serves as a stark reminder that even the most finely tuned teams can fall victim to the cruel hand of fate. Cherry’s words, though blunt, echo a sentiment shared by many. Hyman wasn’t just another cog in the machine—he was a vital piece, and his absence left a void that simply couldn’t be filled.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, and they often shape the narrative of playoff runs. This year, it was Zach Hyman’s turn to suffer that cruel twist. For Cherry, the frustration is twofold: the Oilers came so close, and one of their hardest-working players had to watch from the sidelines. The image of Hyman in street clothes during warmups, trying to stay involved, says it all. He wanted to be out there. The team wanted him out there. The fans needed him out there. But it wasn’t meant to be. And as Cherry put it, perhaps no one knows better how devastating that kind of absence can be than someone who’s watched this game for decades. “You don’t get many chances to win the Cup. When one slips through your fingers like that, it haunts you. And I guarantee you, they’re going to think about Hyman every time they replay those Final games.”
As the Oilers look ahead, they’ll do so with the knowledge that they were just a piece or two away from glory. Whether that motivates them or lingers as a regret remains to be seen. But for Don Cherry and countless others who followed every second of their postseason journey, the loss of Zach Hyman looms large. It was a cruel twist in a promising story, a missed opportunity that may take years to come to terms with. Because if Hyman had been healthy, if he had played those crucial minutes, if he had “kicked in a few goals,” as Cherry so pointedly put it, the Stanley Cup might have found its way back to Edmonton. Instead, the wait continues—and so does the what-if.
