Player Discussion Evan Bouchard

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

They need to sign him long term this off season. If they bridge him it will end up being a Nurse situation all over again.

I prefer long term too, but a bridge wouldn't be the end of the world. The first bridge with Nurse was actually fine getting us a good solid #2/3 dman at 3.2 million for 2 years. The mistake was bridging him a 2nd time straight to UFA instead of singing him to the 6 year 6-7 million dollar extension Nurse wanted in the first place.

 

[bucks_oil]

They need to sign him long term this off season. If they bridge him it will end up being a Nurse situation all over again.

I'm getting whiplash.

Two weeks ago people wanted him traded or bridged to a 2 x 2.5M deal... before you know it we'll be back at 8 x $7M.

There is a middle ground, and a Klefbom/Brodin/Dobson-like bridge is best for Bouch and for Edmonton. We need that cap space over the next 4 years and he can cash in with an 8 year from 28-35 years of age. It's win-win all around.

This kid is going to be a slow bloomer (at least defensively). He'll get there, but until then it's best to keep the $$$$$ pressure off him

 

[McShogun99]

I'm getting whiplash.

Two weeks ago people wanted him traded or bridged to a 2 x 2.5M deal... before you know it we'll be back at 8 x $7M.

There is a middle ground, and a Klefbom/Brodin/Dobson-like bridge is best for Bouch and for Edmonton. We need that cap space over the next 4 years and he can cash in with an 8 year from 28-35 years of age. It's win-win all around.

This kid is going to be a slow bloomer (at least defensively). He'll get there, but until then it's best to keep the $$$$$ pressure off him

You have to look at Dobson or Anderson as comparable long term contracts. Something around 4.5 x 6.

 

[bucks_oil]

You have to look at Dobson or Anderson as comparable long term contracts. Something around 4.5 x 6.

I agreed: "There is a middle ground, and a Klefbom/Brodin/Dobson-like bridge is best for Bouch and for Edmonton."

Dobson is 3 x $4M and is a comparable. Strong offensively last year and still putting the defensive game together.

Anderson is 8 x $4.125M and has put up less points in his three seasons than Bouchard in his ~rookie year. I don't see us being able to justify him as a comp.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

17 points in his last 17 games. What a difference having a steady partner in Ekholm has made.

 

[Giggleplex]

17 points in his last 17 games. What a difference having a steady partner in Ekholm has made.

Impressive stats indeed.

 

[joestevens29]

17 points in his last 17 games. What a difference having a steady partner in Ekholm has made.

Really makes you wonder if Ekholm was a right hand d-man what he and Nurse would look like together.

 

[Spawn]

Hot take...

Bouchard is going to put up 20 points over the next 21 games and everyone will remember why he was a top 10 pick.

Update:

5G 14A 19P in 21GP, +12 21 min a night

Off by a point. Damn.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Really makes you wonder if Ekholm was a right hand d-man what he and Nurse would look like together.

You know what's amusing? Nurse Ekholm is actually one of our worst pairings analytically lol (numbers skewed b/c small sample size, both are LHD, and often 5v6 together but still). This current setup is better anyway. Nurse has proven in the past he can carry worse players than Ceci (Barrie, bear, Russell) on a top pairing and Ekholm is the perfect mentor for getting Bouchard to the next level. Hopefully we can get some Ekholm+Bromberg next year too.

 

[Fourier]

You know what's amusing? Nurse Ekholm is actually one of our worst pairings analytically lol (numbers skewed b/c small sample size, both are LHD, and often 5v6 together but still). This current setup is better anyway. Nurse has proven in the past he can carry worse players than Ceci (Barrie, bear, Russell) on a top pairing and Ekholm is the perfect mentor for getting Bouchard to the next level. Hopefully we can get some Ekholm+Bromberg next year too.

The other reason for keeping them apart is that it allows you to have one of them on the ice for over 40 minutes per game.

I think Desharnais is a key going forward. If he can continue to improve and not turn into a pumpkin that is a huge win. A cheap internally produced guy who can provide very stable defensive minutes on the bottom pairing helps the team get through what will hopefully be the last of the really tight cap years

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Nice goal for alot of reasons. This kid is very good.

 

[Spawn]

Nice goal for alot of reasons. This kid is very good.

Rough goal for our cap next year lmao.

But yeah he's always been a keeper.

 

[La Bamba]

Nice goal for alot of reasons. This kid is very good.

Bouchard owes Ekholm a house

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Rough goal for our cap next year lmao.

But yeah he's always been a keeper.

You want them to succeed, this is just part of the success.

 

[BurnabyJoe7]

What are your thoughts on his play so far in the playoffs?

Obviously he has made some big plays and has scored some big goals for us, but I'm concerned with his defensive play. He loses a lot of board battles and has had many giveaways in each game. Feels like everytime he gets the puck in our end under pressure that it's not leaving our zone and ends up being a chance for the kings.

If he wasn't playing with Ekholm I don't think he would be getting much playing time at all 5v5. I know we need to let him play more to figure out the defensive issues but throwing him out there with 10 minutes left yesterday wasn't the play. I personally think he needs to be sheltered 5v5 on the 3rd pairing and then play the pp.

The kings style of play isn't a good match for him either and a run and gun style game that we might have against Vegas or Colorado will be more advantageous. Just bumping this because nobody on TV seems to be talking about his defensive issues.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

What are your thoughts on his play so far in the playoffs?

Obviously he has made some big plays and has scored some big goals for us, but I'm concerned with his defensive play. He loses a lot of board battles and has had many giveaways in each game. Feels like everytime he gets the puck in our end under pressure that it's not leaving our zone and ends up being a chance for the kings.

If he wasn't playing with Ekholm I don't think he would be getting much playing time at all 5v5. I know we need to let him play more to figure out the defensive issues but throwing him out there with 10 minutes left yesterday wasn't the play. I personally think he needs to be sheltered 5v5 on the 3rd pairing and then play the pp.

The kings style of play isn't a good match for him either and a run and gun style game that we might have against Vegas or Colorado will be more advantageous. Just bumping this because nobody on TV seems to be talking about his defensive issues.

He’s fine

If we can’t play our top 4 D up 3 with 10 minutes left we should go home.

There’s a reason no one’s talking about it

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

What are your thoughts on his play so far in the playoffs?

Obviously he has made some big plays and has scored some big goals for us, but I'm concerned with his defensive play. He loses a lot of board battles and has had many giveaways in each game. Feels like everytime he gets the puck in our end under pressure that it's not leaving our zone and ends up being a chance for the kings.

If he wasn't playing with Ekholm I don't think he would be getting much playing time at all 5v5. I know we need to let him play more to figure out the defensive issues but throwing him out there with 10 minutes left yesterday wasn't the play. I personally think he needs to be sheltered 5v5 on the 3rd pairing and then play the pp.

The kings style of play isn't a good match for him either and a run and gun style game that we might have against Vegas or Colorado will be more advantageous. Just bumping this because nobody on TV seems to be talking about his defensive issues.

You're watching a different series than me & everybody else that's not talking about it.

 

[Fourier]

What are your thoughts on his play so far in the playoffs?

Obviously he has made some big plays and has scored some big goals for us, but I'm concerned with his defensive play. He loses a lot of board battles and has had many giveaways in each game. Feels like everytime he gets the puck in our end under pressure that it's not leaving our zone and ends up being a chance for the kings.

If he wasn't playing with Ekholm I don't think he would be getting much playing time at all 5v5. I know we need to let him play more to figure out the defensive issues but throwing him out there with 10 minutes left yesterday wasn't the play. I personally think he needs to be sheltered 5v5 on the 3rd pairing and then play the pp.

The kings style of play isn't a good match for him either and a run and gun style game that we might have against Vegas or Colorado will be more advantageous. Just bumping this because nobody on TV seems to be talking about his defensive issues.

There is no way that they move him to the third pairing. Especially since that would mean moving Vinny up a slot. He's fine where he is. He's going top make some mistakes but this is an incredibly valuable learning experience for him and he is contributing a lot to the team's success right now.

 

[Louis Cypher]

The other reason for keeping them apart is that it allows you to have one of them on the ice for over 40 minutes per game.

I think Desharnais is a key going forward. If he can continue to improve and not turn into a pumpkin that is a huge win. A cheap internally produced guy who can provide very stable defensive minutes on the bottom pairing helps the team get through what will hopefully be the last of the really tight cap years

Vinny is a 6/7. We need a legit Right shot D.

 

[Fourier]

Vinny is a 6/7. We need a legit Right shot D.

If he is a cheap #6 playing as a #6 that helps. What they need is to find a RHD equivalent of Ekholm to replace Ceci. To do that you need to have someone playing for minimal dollars. This team can't afford another $2.5-3M bottom pairing defenseman.

 

[Oilers88]

What are your thoughts on his play so far in the playoffs?

Obviously he has made some big plays and has scored some big goals for us, but I'm concerned with his defensive play. He loses a lot of board battles and has had many giveaways in each game. Feels like everytime he gets the puck in our end under pressure that it's not leaving our zone and ends up being a chance for the kings.

If he wasn't playing with Ekholm I don't think he would be getting much playing time at all 5v5. I know we need to let him play more to figure out the defensive issues but throwing him out there with 10 minutes left yesterday wasn't the play. I personally think he needs to be sheltered 5v5 on the 3rd pairing and then play the pp.

The kings style of play isn't a good match for him either and a run and gun style game that we might have against Vegas or Colorado will be more advantageous. Just bumping this because nobody on TV seems to be talking about his defensive issues.

Completely disagree, I think he's been solid in all aspects. He's had a good stick, and has been a lot more physical in separating his man from the puck. There were a couple of times last night where he muscled Kopitar off the puck and got it moving in the right direction. The Bouchard/Ekholm pairing is far and away the pairing I am most comfortable with.

To me the biggest concern going forward is that Desharnais and Ceci have struggled.

 

[BurnabyJoe7]

Completely disagree, I think he's been solid in all aspects. He's had a good stick, and has been a lot more physical in separating his man from the puck. There were a couple of times last night where he muscled Kopitar off the puck and got it moving in the right direction. The Bouchard/Ekholm pairing is far and away the pairing I am most comfortable with.

To me the biggest concern going forward is that Desharnais and Ceci have struggled.

Okay nice to see some other opinions on him which is exactly why I come to this site.

 

[Arpeggio]

Bouchard is always going to draw the ire of fans for his defensive play, because of how passive he looks. If it's an even race to a puck, he always lets the other guy go in first. But to his credit, he does step it up physically in the playoffs, has done it two years in a row now. I think that Barrie trade was huge for him, not only because he's playing with Ekholm now, but it showed that the organization has a lot of trust in him, which I think goes far with a guy who plays the way that Bouchard does.

 

[OG Eberle]

'member when half our board was putting him in proposals for Karlsson a few months ago cause "Broberg is untouchable" and Karlsson was an upgrade?

 

[CROTT]

If he is a cheap #6 playing as a #6 that helps. What they need is to find a RHD equivalent of Ekholm to replace Ceci. To do that you need to have someone playing for minimal dollars. This team can't afford another $2.5-3M bottom pairing defenseman.

There really isn't much money for next year anyway, I don't mind having Vinny as a #6 or #7. If he continues to develop great, if still questionable maybe pick up a bottom pairing RHD at the TDL.

Next season Lucic's retention and Sekera's buyout are off the books, leaving only 1.9 ish million on Neal's buyout. Also Bouchard will have an 896K overage again next year due to the Oilers being over the cap on LTIR, but Klefbom and Smith are off the books next year so unless the Oilers spend to the cap before bonuses (And its less likely that Broberg earns his bonuses, though Holloway could earn some).