Player Discussion Evan Bouchard

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Hoping we have no issues extending him. I actually view our top 3 D as a strength now instead of a weakness.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

You do whatever it takes to lock him up long term. Trade Yams/Foegele/Kulak, LTIRetire Campbell. Heck I'd send Hyman/RNH out the door if that's what it takes (the first few moves should be enough though). If we bridge him he's gonna cost over 10 mil on the extension.

 

[oXo Cube]

Sign him long term 8x8 I don't care.

Just find a way.

 

[La Bamba]

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.

Same. My only doubt is if he can play like this over the course of a season without Ekholm glued to him because Ekholm should mentor Broberg next season

 

[CupofOil]

Hoping we have no issues extending him. I actually view our top 3 D as a strength now instead of a weakness.

He's going to get paid, big time, whether it's now or in 2-3 years. Even on a bridge, I'm not sure he gets below $4.5m at this point depending on term.
If it's long term, the number starts with a 7 at minimum and maybe even an 8 if it's a max term deal.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

He's going to get paid, big time, whether it's now or in 2-3 years. Even on a bridge, I'm not sure he gets below $4.5m at this point depending on term.
If it's long term, the number starts with a 7 at minimum and maybe even an 8 if it's a max term deal.

I'd consider a 7mx8 deal if we could move campbell and bring in a cheaper backup.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I don't see how they do anything but a bridge. Again, on a bridge he's extremely likely to vastly outperform the cap hit, which will make the Oilers a dramatically deeper team. What that means is long term deal 3 will be very expensive

 

[independent observer]

I am curious what Holland is going to do with the Bouch situation. It is clear, we cannot let him walk… but a lot needs to be moved to accommodate his new contract. I was thinking Kailer and maybe Kulak… but chances are increasing that we need to be innovative (picks) to move Campbell as well.
That Nurse deal is makes things very tricky… as they overpaid and if I would be Bouch, that would be my asking price if I would stick around…

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I am curious what Holland is going to do with the Bouch situation. It is clear, we cannot let him walk… but a lot needs to be moved to accommodate his new contract. I was thinking Kailer and maybe Kulak… but chances are increasing that we need to be innovative (picks) to move Campbell as well.
That Nurse deal is makes things very tricky… as they overpaid and if I would be Bouch, that would be my asking price if I would stick around…

It's Foegele and Yamo first, followed by Campbell, Ceci and Kulak to make space.

It's very doable IMO, but I still can't see any other choice than a bridge for Bouchard. Makes too much sense for the team capwise

 

[independent observer]

Requirements

ANNUAL AVERAGE (AAV) VALUE	COMPENSATION
$4,201,489 - $6,302,230	1 First Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick
$6,302,231 - $8,402,975	1 First Round Pick 1 Second Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick
$8,402,976 - $10,503,720	2 First Round Picks 1 Second Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick
$10,503,721 - ∞	4 First Round Picks

If I am an opposing GM, I would offersheet him at 8.4mln… and since Bouch needs to feed his family, he will consider signing…

I am very sure that this is a real risk. I am sure any team that Bedard gets has tons of cap space and would love to have him up top…

 

[CupofOil]

I'd consider a 7mx8 deal if we could move campbell and bring in a cheaper backup.

I'd do that in a heartbeat, don't see it being that low unfortunately. I think the most likely path is a bridge 3 years $12-15m.

 

[PaPaDee]

Requirements
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TH]ANNUAL AVERAGE (AAV) VALUE[/TH]
[TH]COMPENSATION[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$4,201,489 - $6,302,230[/TD]
[TD]1 First Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$6,302,231 - $8,402,975[/TD]
[TD]1 First Round Pick 1 Second Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$8,402,976 - $10,503,720[/TD]
[TD]2 First Round Picks 1 Second Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$10,503,721 - ∞[/TD]
[TD]4 First Round Picks[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

If I am an opposing GM, I would offersheet him at 8.4mln… and since Bouch needs to feed his family, he will consider signing…

I am very sure that this is a real risk. I am sure any team that Bedard gets has tons of cap space and would love to have him up top…

That’s a lot of money for an offensive minded, #4 Dman.

 

[PaPaDee]

2 or 3 year bridge deal makes the most sense.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

That’s a lot of money for an offensive minded, #4 Dman.

How many #4 dmen do you know that put up 10 points in 6 playoff games with 19 in 22 on his career?

 

[Jet Walters]

How many #4 dmen do you know that put up 10 points in 6 playoff games with 19 in 22 on his career?

How many Defensemen get to play on the best power play in the history of the NHL? The answer is one. While Bouchard has immense offensive talent, let’s not pretend that Kulak wouldn’t be a 50 point Dman if he was on the first unit for an entire year.

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

I'm sure nobody here would complain after he signed for 8X8 then regressed back to what he was before Ekholm got here.

 

[Donner]

I'm sure nobody here would complain after he signed for 8X8 then regressed back to what he was before Ekholm got here.

The thing is, Bouchard was already solid before Ekholm. The points came on the scoresheet around the same time. Bouchard had 12 goals and 43 points last year, more than this year. He also had 9 points in 16 playoff games. He wasnt as scrub.

Ekholm is a good D, but by no means a Pronger who turns scrubs into good players.

Maybe the solution is just build a proper D core with good D and give Bouchard a good partner?

 

[bobbythebrain]

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.

Using defensive metrics are garbage, especially when they contradict the eye test.

Bouch was phenomenal that whole series. Won most of his board battles, had a limited # of giveaways, and made copious amounts of clean zone exists. He rubbed out guys open ice and that last game he made 3 unreal step ups on oddman rushes that were key. His offense also spoke for itself.

Nurse was a mixed bag of good and bad, but the one thing he does consistently is just chip off the boards no matter the situation of the time and space he has. If it clears the blueline yet goes to the other team, there still will be a stat showing he cleared zone pressure. Nurse gives up the puck needlessly alot in games that the "stats" say he played well.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Old man Bouch is good.

But I'd wanna see him for a prolonged period of time away from Ekholm before we give him 8x8. I'd generally want players paid in that payscale to be able to carry Kulak or something.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

 

[independent observer]

The guy is clearly insane…
Still relaxed that no team tries to extend an offersheet at 8.4mn to him?

For the Oilers that is even more team friendly than Nurse‘s contract… I see him wanting 9+ if he keeps this up.

That Nurse contract is really something…

 

[bobbythebrain]

How many Defensemen get to play on the best power play in the history of the NHL? The answer is one. While Bouchard has immense offensive talent, let’s not pretend that Kulak wouldn’t be a 50 point Dman if he was on the first unit for an entire year.

Just saw this. Wow. So you think Kulak snipes like him or shoots like him?

Make no mistake, he is piling up points on that PP cuz he makes good decisions with the puck and his shot is too hot to handle for rebounds. You think him leading his team in points in the OHL has no effect his current success?

Sorry, but Tyson Barrie wouldn't be leading the playoffs in D points simply cuz he played on the pp

 

[Spawn]

Requirements
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TH]ANNUAL AVERAGE (AAV) VALUE[/TH]
[TH]COMPENSATION[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$4,201,489 - $6,302,230[/TD]
[TD]1 First Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$6,302,231 - $8,402,975[/TD]
[TD]1 First Round Pick 1 Second Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$8,402,976 - $10,503,720[/TD]
[TD]2 First Round Picks 1 Second Round Pick 1 Third Round Pick[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]$10,503,721 - ∞[/TD]
[TD]4 First Round Picks[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

If I am an opposing GM, I would offersheet him at 8.4mln… and since Bouch needs to feed his family, he will consider signing…

I am very sure that this is a real risk. I am sure any team that Bedard gets has tons of cap space and would love to have him up top…

Best of luck to whatever team signs Bouchard for 8.4M. I've been a big believer of his since we drafted him and it would suck to lose him. But he's not a 8.4M player.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Best of luck to whatever team signs Bouchard for 8.4M. I've been a big believer of his since we drafted him and it would suck to lose him. But he's not a 8.4M player.

I would say continued play at his current level might be close, but teams just really don't do this. Even when they put one forward, they always hedge their bets. Oilers will bridge Bouchard, because they can, and he'll get a massive raise on the other end

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

With the way things are going, a team offer sheeting Bouchard is probably doing us a favour ala Montreal with Aho back in the day.