Evan Bouchard vs. Noah Dobson (2022 Edition)

[North Cole]

Probably Dobson presently, but I'm happy to have Bouchard. Dunno why it matters all that much

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I understand why the Oilers wanted Bouchard at the time. They needed an offensive RD who could run the power play for basically forever. He checked a lot of boxes.

The funny part is now the Oilers have had Barrie for a few years. Barrie and Bouchard kind of make each other redundant.

Oilers would of been better off picking Dobson ... especially now that they have Barrie ...

Dobson is pretty good offensively too though. Its not much of a gap between him and Bouchard. And Dobson is a much better defender.

Both guys are still really young though, which I think makes Dobson even more impressive.

Even if the aim was to draft your future PPQB, it's not like Dobson didn't project to have pretty good offensive upside as well. IMO, it's kind of like taking John Carlson over Alex Pietrangelo. Whatever edge Carlson may or may not have over Pietrangelo offensively isn't close to offsetting Pietrangelo's edge defensively.

 

[PWJunior]

Even if the aim was to draft your future PPQB, it's not like Dobson didn't project to have pretty good offensive upside as well. IMO, it's kind of like taking John Carlson over Alex Pietrangelo. Whatever edge Carlson may or may not have over Pietrangelo offensively isn't close to offsetting Pietrangelo's edge defensively.

I think the Pietrangelo and Carlson comparisons are pretty solid. I don't know if Bouchard has that upside though, I see more Kevin Shattenkirk 2.0 than Carlson. Bouchard is a major defensive liability, the same mistakes even since the OHL so that is very concerning.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Dobson. By a lot.
Bouchard is great offensively but still makes way to many gaffes defensively whereas Dobson is one of those rare all round guys that you can build a D around.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Bouchard is a liability in the NHL. He has some nice offensive tools but any positive those make are negated by him being walked every time he steps on the ice. He has a lot of growth needed because right now he is looking like Tyson Barrie 2.0

He looks a lot like Morgan Rielly to me.
He’s quite a bit better than Barrie but still has too many defensive gaffes.

 

[PWJunior]

Dobson. By a lot.
Bouchard is great offensively but still makes way to many gaffes defensively whereas Dobson is one of those rare all round guys that you can build a D around.

Is Bouchard really that good offensively though? He does have a hard shot, but he hits quite a few shins and doesn't seem to get shots on net as often as you'd think. He does have an excellent outlet pass, but he isn't able to skate the puck out of his zone and through the neutral zone so he's a bit of a one trick pony in that respect. I just don't see this dynamic offensive force that so many others describe. He is a very good passer and bomb of a shot, but not seeing much more to be considered "great offensively".

Dobson can skate the puck up the ice and make the outlet pass, his offensive game seems way more diverse and "dynamic" in comparison. He does a very nice job getting shots on net, sneaky good.

While both are not defensive stalwarts, Dobson has made strides in that area while Bouchard still makes Junior level mistakes. Bouchard looks like he doesn't give a shit about playing defense, that's not good.