The 6-5-4 Edmonton Oilers are waiting patiently for the return of star forward Zach Hyman . Although his original target date of November 1 has passed, head coach Kris Knoblauch revealed that the plan is for the 33-year-old to play at some point in the next week .

“Whether he gets back in on Monday [against the Columbus Blue Jackets] or later on, on that [seven-game] road trip, we expect him back within one week,” Knoblauch told reporters on Friday.

That's excellent news for an Oilers squad that is averaging 3.07 goals per game this season, good for 18th in the National Hockey League. Hyman has been practicing with the team since October 22.

The veteran has already been ruled out against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Place on Saturday night, so he'll have his first

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