It all started with a fun little nickname: Shaq Hyman. It had been Zack Hyman’s nickname for a while before it really picked up steam and entered the hockey world’s lexicon during the Oilers’ playoff run last year, helped popularized by Paul Bissonnette of NHL on TNT. With Shaquille O’Neal, also employed by TNT, it was the perfect crossover. The whole nickname saga reached what was probably its high point when the Oilers gifted O’Neal a personalized hockey stick and Hyman jersey with the message, “To Shaq, Thanks for all the support!” To which O’Neal replied, “Zach, I love you brother,” and sent a personalized Lakers jersey in return.
But that was during the Oilers’ magical cup run of last year. Fast forward a year later, and while they’re playing the Kings in round 1 again, this time they’re putting up more of a fight with the series already tied at 2-2, compared to last year’s 4-1. In the high-stakes atmosphere of the NHL playoffs, where tension runs as high as expectations, even the smallest gesture can spark a wave of emotion. And as the Edmonton Oilers fight to stay in the game, a familiar figure makes a surprise return. And not everyone was ready to celebrate. Because what unfolded caused both laughter and frustration across the hockey world.
SHAQ HYMAN HAS RETURNED TO HELP THE OILERS BOUNCE BACK IN THE THIRD pic.twitter.com/v8GOtQB0hh
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 28, 2025
Amidst their tense series, when the Edmonton Oilers needed a spark, TNT brought the laughs. But not everyone was smiling. In a light-hearted segment, “Shaq Hyman” made his much-hyped return, with Shaquille O’Neal performing a skit of a hockey player scoring a goal in the TNT studio. Yet, amid the playoff tension, not all fans found humor enough to heal their hockey nerves.
The Shaq Hyman crossover originally developed during TNT’s NHL playoff coverage last year. The nickname connected Hyman’s net-front dominance to O’Neal’s basketball paint presence. The friendship between the two sparked joy last season, but with the Oilers looking more vulnerable this year, fans were less receptive this time around.
The Shaq Hyman – Shaquille O’Neal shtick failed to make an impact the second time around
While the intention was to inject positivity into a high-pressure playoff atmosphere, the reaction was far from universally warm. A fan summed up the mood bluntly: “EDM might need more than Shaq to save their season.” Another echoed the frustration, writing, “I don’t think anything is helping the Oilers out tbh.”
For some others, the return felt stale. Another user didn’t mince words, urging, “Retire the Shaq Hyman gimmick already. Bro is washed.” Even a joke can overstay its welcome, and in this case, the fan appeared exasperated with the continuation of one from last year. Especially considering the subpar season Hyman had with just 44 points to his name in 73 games.
The skepticism didn’t stop at the gimmick. Even the visual setup of the TNT panel became a target. A user joked, “Making the panel look like four oompa loompas,” mocking the dramatized nature of the presentation. Meanwhile, another fan commented, “Shaq–Bouchard would be a sick pair,” choosing to fantasize about their idealized version of the Oilers.
Frustrations also extended to loyalty, with a fan simply posting “Traitor” and another writing, “How dare you do this to LA, Shaq,” with both fans shaking their heads at the sacrilege of the Shaquille O’Neal forgoing support for a Los Angeles-based team.
Shaquille O’Neal’s wholesome involvement was meant to offer levity. But for many Edmonton fans, it inadvertently highlighted just how dire the situation felt. In a playoff where every goal counts and every mistake feels magnified, the appetite for theatrics is waning. With the Oilers’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the message from their fanbase is loud and clear: save the gimmicks for the offseason. Right now, it’s all about saving the season itself.
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