guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
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No perfect players in the NHL that I am aware of.
One of the many things that makes Ekholm such a good player is that his mistakes are few and far between.
Player Discussion Evan Bouchard
- Thread starter Trafalgar Sadge Law
- Start date
One of the many things that makes Ekholm such a good player is that his mistakes are few and far between.
Hes also sneaky dirty around the net, I wish Nurse was more like that.
bobbythebrain
Registered User
- Jul 30, 2016
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"My worry is Bouchard is rubbing off on Ekholm more than Ekholm is rubbing off on Bouchard."
This statement sums up the agenda
Fact is, Bouchard is rubbing off on him, in a good way. Ekholm is seeing the best point production of his career. He's putting up important numbers at 5v5.
Pretty amazing when you're watching a Dallas feed and they get to watch Harley-Heiskanen all the time they are also gushing about the Bouchard-Ekholm pair.
Ekholm in his last 10 games has been Norris level good. It's hilarious how 1 bad game sways some people. Simple minds i guess
This statement sums up the agenda
Fact is, Bouchard is rubbing off on him, in a good way. Ekholm is seeing the best point production of his career. He's putting up important numbers at 5v5.
Pretty amazing when you're watching a Dallas feed and they get to watch Harley-Heiskanen all the time they are also gushing about the Bouchard-Ekholm pair.
Ekholm in his last 10 games has been Norris level good. It's hilarious how 1 bad game sways some people. Simple minds i guess
Points aren't everything. Watch the game...........
You are probably in the delusional Bouchard for the Norris group
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
Points are hard to get in that amount, especially as a defenseman, also you should take your advice and watch the game.Evan Bouchard absolutely deserves to be in that Norris conversation.
I watch closer than most people. That's the problem. I have no life in the winters. All I do is watch hockey, talk hockey, scout hockey
Evan Bouchard absolutely deserves to be in that Norris conversation.
I'm not saying Bouchard is a bad player, but Norris talk is a little goofy (Hughes, Makar, Josi, Hedman eat his lunch)
I don't get how people here are so passionately defending Bouchard. Take off the bias homer glasses
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
You don't, you've decided you so as, what seems to be, a need to be contrarian (with a touch of inferiority) where you HAVE to assume Bouchard is worse because Oilers.
He's not, he's absolutely playing the level of those other guys and absolutely deserves to be in the conversation. It's not like a feeling or an idea, it's a reality.
Bouchard is playing on the level of Hughes, Josi, Makar and Hedman? Sure.......
Broberg Speed
Registered User
- Oct 23, 2020
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Evan Bouchard absolutely deserves to be in that Norris conversation.
This is fantasy. Step outside the fanboy realm.
Start a thread on the mainboard or create a poll where non-oiler fans can have their say. You are in for a rude awakening.
Once they've joined the Bouchard Cult, they distance themselves from outside influences.
It's incredible. And I can see this this delusion taking the Oilers into their next albatros contract. That's my main worry concerning Bouchard. The cultists chirp "that boy's gonna get paid" while helicoptering their noodles. That's fanboy power.
I never seen fanboyism of this level. Bouchard is an offensive defenceman with major flaws in his game playing with 2 of the top offensive players of this generation and is partnered with an actual superb defenceman that has a well rounded game in Ekholm.
VainGretzky
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- Jun 4, 2015
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Same thing was said about Coffey his 1st few seasons , Bouchard is a superstar in the making and will be in the HOF after his career
Look I am not saying he doesn't have a future.
I am saying TODAY he needs to wake up and not play stoned. Stop the constant mistakes
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
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I think that Bouchard is on the tier just below Hughes and Makar.
So no he isnt at their level yet but he is knocking at the door.
IMO he doesnt have the complete game that Makar and Hughes have.
I do think that Bocuchard has Norris potential though...if he can clean up his game.
Is he in the Norris conversation this season?
In a peripheral way maybe but not in any serious Norris discussion.
VainGretzky
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No it's not and I question peoples hockey knowledge when they make posts like he is a bum, here are some facts Bouchard has been on the ice for 156 goals the oilers has scored this season that's 60% of all the goals scored he has been on the ice for 72 goals against which is 33% of the time , the Oilers are far better with him on the ice instead of off . anyone who states he makes the Oilers a worse team has no clue about this game
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
I don't agree completely, Bouchard is right there with those guys, he gets less credit because those guys have done it before.
Hughes is going to win it going away imo, and Bouchard might end up anywhere from 2nd to 5th in voting, but he deserves to be there with his level of play this year.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
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I think if you watched Makar and Hughes more you would see that there is a gap between them and Bouchard.
Bouchard just isnt at that level when it comes to his all around game yet.
I expect the Norris votes will reflect that.
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
They are great players, but I think they get extra credit for not being Oilers, they are better than Bouchard that I won't argue.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
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Could be and I wish that Bouchard was at their level. I really do but I just dont see it yet.
The other thing to consider as well is that Bouchard is a different type of dman in a lot of ways.
Makar and Hughes are very mobile and quick to accelerate to full speed. It helps them get out of trouble.
Bouchard is a good skater but his first few strides are not ever going to be at the level of a Makar or Hughes. That tends to get him in trouble defensively.
I also see Makar and Hughes being able to control a game (at least in part)...Bouchard isnt able to do that just yet.
VainGretzky
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Bouchard one ice for 60% Goals 33% goals against
Hughes one ice for 59% of goals 33% goals against
Makar one ice for 50% of goals 41% goals against
Bouchard so bad lol
Hughes one ice for 59% of goals 33% goals against
Makar one ice for 50% of goals 41% goals against
Bouchard so bad lol
TopShelfGloveSide
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Aerchon
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- Jul 20, 2011
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So...
Bouchard...
16 goals, so far.
60 assists, so far.
+29
Visibly getting better at defense for anyone with half a brain. Still super young.
This isn't Schultz or Gilbert where if you squint and dim the lights the "potential" for Norris nominee is maybe a tiny bit possible.
This is a defenseman that is a stat currently in the NHL. Better offensively than any Oiler defenseman in forever it feels like and tons of room to grow.
He is an incredible player, way ahead of where I thought he would be. I am shocked that there is any Bouchard bashing going on no matter how bad his odd and getting odder mental gaffs are.
Bouchard...
16 goals, so far.
60 assists, so far.
+29
Visibly getting better at defense for anyone with half a brain. Still super young.
This isn't Schultz or Gilbert where if you squint and dim the lights the "potential" for Norris nominee is maybe a tiny bit possible.
This is a defenseman that is a stat currently in the NHL. Better offensively than any Oiler defenseman in forever it feels like and tons of room to grow.
He is an incredible player, way ahead of where I thought he would be. I am shocked that there is any Bouchard bashing going on no matter how bad his odd and getting odder mental gaffs are.
VainGretzky
Registered User
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I agree but Bouchard helps his team just as much as Hughes and Makar and all 3 make errors on defence it comes with heavy minutes and taking offensive risks which they are paid to do
Broberg Speed
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- Oct 23, 2020
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If Bouchard played for the Columbus Blue Jackets he'd be universally recognized for what he is, an offensive defenseman with significant flaws in his game.
It would be accepted that Bouchard is a full time NHL player who struggles for ice time because of his deficiencies... without McDavid and Draisaitl level players inflating his offensive statistics and Ekholm cloaking his defensive flaws.
It would be accepted that Bouchard is a full time NHL player who struggles for ice time because of his deficiencies... without McDavid and Draisaitl level players inflating his offensive statistics and Ekholm cloaking his defensive flaws.
TopShelfGloveSide
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You are acting like Bouchard is the only player to benefit from playing with good players.
NOBODY is saying he makes the Oilers worse. You guys are taking this out of context. We are saying 2 things.
1. He is not on the same tier or even CLOSE to Makar and Hughes
2. He makes way too many bone head mistakes. Sure he does good things, but he also makes your head hurt.
