Securing Evan Bouchard is a Must for the Oilers

EDMONTON — Let`s consider this: how many truly undisputed, top-tier defensemen are active in the National Hockey League right now?

The list begins with names like Cale Makar, continues with Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski, then extends to talents such as Lane Hutson and Victor Hedman, before settling in the company of players like Josh Morrissey and Shea Theodore.

Certainly, there are a few others, but one fact remains clear: there aren`t 32 genuine No. 1 defensemen for the 32 NHL franchises. In reality, it`s questionable if there are even more than approximately 16 players who fit that description.

So, when a team possesses a six-foot-three right-shooting defenseman capable of directing their power play, logging up to 27 minutes of ice time when necessary, who is an elite puck transporter, boasts the hardest shot in the game, and whose performance elevates with the stakes of the moment – and they allowed him to depart, what then?

The Edmonton Oilers would find themselves immediately searching for a player exactly like Evan Bouchard the very next day. And they would never succeed in finding one.

Consequently, General Manager Stan Bowman executed the completely logical action. While ideally hoping to secure the 25-year-old Bouchard with an eight-year agreement, he successfully finalized a four-year contract, covering half that duration, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $10.5 million.

Evan Bouchard is undeniably a legitimate number one defenseman, and as of today, his salary reflects that status.

Defensive awareness has traditionally been the one aspect preventing Bouchard from being consistently considered among the NHL`s top three defensemen or earning an invitation to represent Team Canada.

However, when the postseason arrives, Bouchard`s defensive performance improves alongside the rest of his game, clearly demonstrating that he reserves his finest play for the moments when it is most crucial.

Over the previous four regular seasons, Bouchard ranks ninth in total points (232), 22nd in plus/minus (a plus-64 rating), and tenth in points per game (among players with at least 250 games played) with an average of 0.71.

Now, let`s examine his statistics from the last four postseasons:

• Points: First with 81

• Games Played: Tied for second with 75

• Goals: First with 20

• Assists: First with 61

• Power-play goals: First with eight

• Power-play points: First with 38

• Shots on goal: First with 212

In the playoffs, having a defenseman possessing Bouchard`s skating ability, composure under pressure, calm demeanor, and puck-moving expertise makes the critical difference between having a strong team and having one capable of winning a Stanley Cup.

The Edmonton Oilers might not have triumphed in the last two Stanley Cup Finals – and it`s true that Bouchard had a difficult Game 6 under the intense pressure from the Florida Panthers – but ultimately, his overall game elevates the team towards the top far more often than it hinders them. No, he isn`t Shea Weber. But look around the league today and ask yourself, who truly is?

Furthermore, on an Oilers power play featuring the exceptional Connor McDavid, the recent Rocket Richard Trophy winner Leon Draisaitl, and one of the NHL`s premier net-front presence players in Zach Hyman, having a superb passer combined with the hardest shot in hockey positioned at the top of the offensive formation is undeniably a significant advantage.

Here are the NHL leaders for the most shots recorded between 90 and 100 m.p.h. last season:

He also ranks in the 99th percentile for shots measured between 80-90 m.p.h. and 70-80 m.p.h. This confirms that while another player might occasionally fire a single shot clocking higher, it is Bouchard who consistently – game after game, season after season – releases the puck at a higher velocity than any other defenseman currently playing.

There is almost certainly no justifiable reason why the Oilers would ever consider not retaining their most potent defenseman, especially given the team`s formidable offensive firepower upfront. However, the tenth overall selection from the 2018 draft now also represents a substantial part of the team`s salary structure, consuming 11 percent of the Oilers` salary cap.

If Connor McDavid signs an extension for $17 million this upcoming summer, by the time the 2026-27 season begins, the combined cap hits of the captain, Draisaitl, and Bouchard could approach 37 percent, or more than one-third of Edmonton`s total salary cap. This is the cost associated with having elite players, and one day, these significant salary figures could potentially lead to Bouchard wearing a different jersey than the blue and orange.

But that day is not today, nor will it be within the next four seasons.

The Edmonton Oilers secured Evan Bouchard with a contract on Monday for a perfectly straightforward reason: because they would have been absolutely irrational not to.