Player Discussion Evan Bouchard

[Tobias Kahun]

'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?

Most of the board just wanted to give him away

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

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.

Are you seriously suggesting the player who has 17 points in his last 21 playoff games including 8 in his last 5 is getting too much ice time??????????????????????????????????????

 

[oXo Cube]

Are you seriously suggesting the player who has 17 points in his last 21 playoff games including 8 in his last 5 is getting too much ice time??????????????????????????????????????

Gonna take a wild guess that that poster thinks his ice time should be given to Desharnais.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

He's starting to blossom into the player we'd dream he'd be when he was drafted.

It's actually hilarious looking back at people worrying about him replacing Barrie on the PP.

He's been better than Barrie.



This is a solid breakdown of him on the PP in game 4. On the second goal he baits Kopitar out of his spot which opens up Draisatl and the rest is history.

 

[Da McBomb]

This is me eating crow... count me in that group that wanted to include him in a package for Karlsson earlier this year. He's been night and day since Ekholm's arrival and it's even more promising that he's continued his great play in the most important time of the year.

If Broberg can take a similar step as Bouch in the near future... we'd be pretty set on defence.

 

[bobbythebrain]

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.

Really don't get this post as none of this is actually factual. He's defended better than any other dman aside from Ekholm. At no time during this series has he lost anything more than the rare board battle. His passes from his own end 99% of the time have lead to a zone exit.
He has broken up several Kings cycles. He has won more than the majority of his board battles, including schooling Kopitar last nite.

This post is literally a cut and paste of his play pre Ekholm where he was struggling and somehow you attributed it to his play this series...which couldn't be further from the truth

 

[Donner]

He's starting to blossom into the player we'd dream he'd be when he was drafted.

It's actually hilarious looking back at people worrying about him replacing Barrie on the PP.

He's been better than Barrie.



This is a solid breakdown of him on the PP in game 4. On the second goal he baits Kopitar out of his spot which opens up Draisatl and the rest is history.

Barrie was a good PP QB, but the problem with Barrie is he needs to be the go-to guy on the PP. He tends to shoot to much, which inst a bad thing most times, but when the other option is giving it to 97/93/29, then it may not be the best play in that case

Bouchard is perfect for this PP, because he is a great complimentary PP player. He moves the puck whenever possible to 97/29, and when he has a good shot, he takes it and has a tremendous shot

Barrie is the better PP QB, but Bouchard (to me) is the better fit on our PP

 

[Coffey]

Haven't had a shooter like him on the backend since Souray

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

Barrie was a good PP QB, but the problem with Barrie is he needs to be the go-to guy on the PP. He tends to shoot to much, which inst a bad thing most times, but when the other option is giving it to 97/93/29, then it may not be the best play in that case

Bouchard is perfect for this PP, because he is a great complimentary PP player. He moves the puck whenever possible to 97/29, and when he has a good shot, he takes it and has a tremendous shot

Barrie is the better PP QB, but Bouchard (to me) is the better fit on our PP

This is 100% not true.

You may have been able to claim that early during his first season but he quickly learned there were way better options than him shooting part way thru that 1st season & the PP had to run thru McDrai & not force shots from the point.

 

[Stoneman89]

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.

Throwing him out there in the last 10 minutes is exactly the play. Big lead and team playing well, allows him to get more experience. I think he's been just fine with Ekholm.

 

[Stoneman89]

Barrie was a good PP QB, but the problem with Barrie is he needs to be the go-to guy on the PP. He tends to shoot to much, which inst a bad thing most times, but when the other option is giving it to 97/93/29, then it may not be the best play in that case

Bouchard is perfect for this PP, because he is a great complimentary PP player. He moves the puck whenever possible to 97/29, and when he has a good shot, he takes it and has a tremendous shot

Barrie is the better PP QB, but Bouchard (to me) is the better fit on our PP

Biggest difference is Bouch isn't just a complimentary piece like Barrie was. Barrie just dumped the puck down low and took the odd shot. Bouch has taken command from the back, and is playing like an equal to the others, which makes him doubly dangerous. His wrister is every bit as potent as his slapper, and his thinking the game offensively is miles ahead of Barrie.

 

[Stoneman89]

He's starting to blossom into the player we'd dream he'd be when he was drafted.

It's actually hilarious looking back at people worrying about him replacing Barrie on the PP.

He's been better than Barrie.



This is a solid breakdown of him on the PP in game 4. On the second goal he baits Kopitar out of his spot which opens up Draisatl and the rest is history.

The reason Kopitar (and some others) is getting out of position now is that Bouch has announced himself with that big shot from the point, as well as the deadly wrister. Kopitar has to come up to try to stop that, and when Bouch puts it down low, Kopitar is caught in no mans land and can't get the guy in the slot.

 

[bobbythebrain]

He has the shot which they have to respect, and if anyone's been paying attention, he looks off McDrai alot and passes to Nuge quit abit

The PP literally added more for the other team to think about.

 

[AM]

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

Or he won’t, that’s the issue.

 

[Giggleplex]

10 points in 6 games! Leads all Dman in playoffs scoring and tied for 3rd overall

 

[Senor Catface]

10 points in 6 games! Leads all Dman in playoffs scoring and tied for 3rd overall

It might be the most points in a playoff series by an Oilers defenseman...after Coffey of course

Ok, I looked it up. It IS the most points by an Oilers d-man not named Coffey.

 

[Despote]

Need to sign him soon. This guy is going to explode now that he gets to play in the best powerplay ever and is the primary offensive defenceman in the club.

He'll probably put up 80+ points next year.

 

[syz]

An opposing coach pointed it out near the end of the year (SJ? I can't remember). They were trying to figure out how to defend against the Oilers' power play and they decided to give more room to Bouchard because he was "the least threatening" part of it, and then he scored immediately.

Teams have to respect his shot way more than they ever had to respect Barrie's shot, imo.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

He was amazing every night. He's really stepped into his own and not just offensively. I thought he was strong and poised in his own zone, and I loved his physical game.

 

[Gordian Knot]

Need to sign him soon. This guy is going to explode now that he gets to play in the best powerplay ever and is the primary offensive defenceman in the club.

He'll probably put up 80+ points next year.

He needs to get that retirement contract after giving all those years.

 

[McDanglez]

Bouch looking expensive. Hope Kenny can get him signed to a decent bridge deal.

 

[independent observer]

Looks like we finally have a legit No1 dman!

Holland looks like a genius since this trade… as if they have to new top pair dmen. I mean they got a great allround d in Ekholm and since paired with Bouch, Bouch is gaining more and more confidence and it is remarkable to see what effect confidence has on a player. More sound on defense and better offensively.

He has great vision and shot and complements the PP even better than Barry did.

I really hope no team offer-sheets him because I would as a gm… because it is clear, he will be a future 9mn dman in my opinion. I mean Nurse it not even close to him…

I know the sample is small… but if the Oilers go deep, and they just proceeded, it will get more important by the minute to sign him. I don‘t understand why everyone is so relaxed about this situation and thinks a bridge is a given…

 

[PaPaDee]

Just curious, does arbitration look at playoff stats/numbers? Or just regular season numbers?

But I don’t think he has arbitration rights anyways.

 

[bobbythebrain]

Unreal series. His defensive game is rock solid too. Those plays at the end of last game were clutch.
Ekholm-Bouch are easily our best and most reliable pair.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Excellent series. He's probably our best two way defenseman, and certainly the best offensively.

Nurse/Ekholm are still better defensively but there's no questioning how good he is in the offensive zone.