McDavid and Hyman are big fans of Oilers' offseason moves
Can the Oilers get back to the Stanley Cup Final?
Here's a fact that will come as a shock to absolutely no one: All-time good guy forward Zach Hyman spends his offseason raising money for sick children in Edmonton and Toronto.
The 50 goal man has hosted a long-time golf tournament in his native Toronto going back to his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs and has carried the tradition over to the Edmonton Oilers. Hyman invites several of his NHL buddies out for the annual event and has helped raise over $2 million for Sick Kids Hospital in Edmonton and Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton.
Earlier this week, Hyman was first on the tee at the event when he was absolutely iced by TSN's Jesse Pollock who managed to fire off an airhorn during Hyman's backswing.
Check it out:
I've gotta say... as much as I love a good troll on the golf course I just CANNOT stand Pollock and his skits on BarDown. The guy is so painfully unfunny and I have no clue how he has gained such a following on TSN. Then again... maybe I'm just out of touch.
Jokes aside, Hyman was asked some actual hockey questions today and offered up his opinion on the team's moves so far this offseason.
“Kenny did a great job during the year and then, obviously with Kenny leaving, (Jeff Jackson) kind of took over the mantle and has done a great job bringing in new guys to make the team better, and bringing guys back too. I think it’s also a testament to the team that guys are willing to come back on team-friendly deals and take discounts to try to win," Hyman said (per NHL.com).
Hyman seemed most excited though about the players that the Oilers have been able to retain this offseason, proving that Edmonton is a destination for players these days. That's something that wasn't always the case. But with the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl driving the bus for the Oilers, there's a real sense that players want to come to Edmonton to help get this team over the hump.
McDavid also chimed in on the team's short offseason thus far.
“It’s been short, it’s been hurried. But I think in the small time they’ve been at it they’ve done great things,” McDavid said. “Keeping as many guys together is a good thing in the salary cap era. It’s tough to do that and [Jackson has] done a great job of finding a way to do that, for the most part.”