Player Discussion Evan Bouchard

[ijuka]

All-time record. I knew it. Both my predictions came true, both McDavid and Bouchard breaking the all-time assist records for forwards and defensemen, respectively.

Still can't believe how many people downplay him like it's their profession. Guy's stats are insane, and a couple of bad games here and there don't outweigh the enormous body of work, both in the playoffs and the regular season.

And keep in mind, he's still 24, and defensemen usually take a while to marinate and get truly going. Really glad that he's proving me right, since I was defending him all the way back when he was first getting into the lineup.

Mainly because he's not the traditional speedster and is more hockey IQ-based, and I just really like players that play more subtly like this. He's still not a finished product but there's so much room for growth and I'm confident next season will be even better.

That people say he's a "Tyson Barrie" or something similar just is so offensive, but I'm sure he'll shut down the doubters. Eventually.


Oh, but.. damn, that bridge is looking really brutal right now. Wish Oilers had had as much faith in him as I did. Still, I think that this is one guy you absolutely have to keep. Him and McDavid are the absolutes, no matter what, if you ask me.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

All-time record. I knew it. Both my predictions came true, both McDavid and Bouchard breaking the all-time assist records for forwards and defensemen, respectively.

Still can't believe how many people downplay him like it's their profession. Guy's stats are insane, and a couple of bad games here and there don't outweigh the enormous body of work, both in the playoffs and the regular season.

And keep in mind, he's still 24, and defensemen usually take a while to marinate and get truly going. Really glad that he's proving me right, since I was defending him all the way back when he was first getting into the lineup.

Mainly because he's not the traditional speedster and is more hockey IQ-based, and I just really like players that play more subtly like this. He's still not a finished product but there's so much room for growth and I'm confident next season will be even better.

That people say he's a "Tyson Barrie" or something similar just is so offensive, but I'm sure he'll shut down the doubters. Eventually.


Oh, but.. damn, that bridge is looking really brutal right now. Wish Oilers had had as much faith in him as I did. Still, I think that this is one guy you absolutely have to keep. Him and McDavid are the absolutes, no matter what, if you ask me.

Solid assessment, the bridge is tough, but the cap, currently, doesn't work without it, so I understand, even if it it's a bit rough in the end.

 

[badi]

All-time record. I knew it. Both my predictions came true, both McDavid and Bouchard breaking the all-time assist records for forwards and defensemen, respectively.

Still can't believe how many people downplay him like it's their profession. Guy's stats are insane, and a couple of bad games here and there don't outweigh the enormous body of work, both in the playoffs and the regular season.

And keep in mind, he's still 24, and defensemen usually take a while to marinate and get truly going. Really glad that he's proving me right, since I was defending him all the way back when he was first getting into the lineup.

Mainly because he's not the traditional speedster and is more hockey IQ-based, and I just really like players that play more subtly like this. He's still not a finished product but there's so much room for growth and I'm confident next season will be even better.

That people say he's a "Tyson Barrie" or something similar just is so offensive, but I'm sure he'll shut down the doubters. Eventually.


Oh, but.. damn, that bridge is looking really brutal right now. Wish Oilers had had as much faith in him as I did. Still, I think that this is one guy you absolutely have to keep. Him and McDavid are the absolutes, no matter what, if you ask me.

Nobody thinks he is similar to Barrie
He is elite offensively and already better much better than average on defense with a lot room to grow
You sign this guy for 8 years ASAP

 

[TFHockey]

A mere three assists in the SCF last night. The bum.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

He has his yips but him and Ekholm are one of the best pairings in the league.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

A mere three assists in the SCF last night. The bum.

He had a great game last night. It doesn't excuse his other poor performances tho.

We have one more game like this and man it starts to get real pretty quick. Seems like Bouchard shooting more on the PP night be the answer to cracking their aggressive PK.

It for sure shows the potential is there for him to keep growing and rounding out his game. Hopefully game 6 we get this Bouchard showing up.

All-time record. I knew it. Both my predictions came true, both McDavid and Bouchard breaking the all-time assist records for forwards and defensemen, respectively.

Still can't believe how many people downplay him like it's their profession. Guy's stats are insane, and a couple of bad games here and there don't outweigh the enormous body of work, both in the playoffs and the regular season.

And keep in mind, he's still 24, and defensemen usually take a while to marinate and get truly going. Really glad that he's proving me right, since I was defending him all the way back when he was first getting into the lineup.

Mainly because he's not the traditional speedster and is more hockey IQ-based, and I just really like players that play more subtly like this. He's still not a finished product but there's so much room for growth and I'm confident next season will be even better.

That people say he's a "Tyson Barrie" or something similar just is so offensive, but I'm sure he'll shut down the doubters. Eventually.


Oh, but.. damn, that bridge is looking really brutal right now. Wish Oilers had had as much faith in him as I did. Still, I think that this is one guy you absolutely have to keep. Him and McDavid are the absolutes, no matter what, if you ask me.

This is for sure true. Defensemen peak way later.

 

[bobbythebrain]

With Nurse littering the team with some of the worst hockey in history, the resident Bouchard hater looks to single out Bouch for mistakes and isolate him as the reason we may lose. Lol.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

With Nurse littering the team with some of the worst hockey in history, the resident Bouchard hater looks to single out Bouch for mistakes and isolate him as the reason we may lose. Lol. View attachment 884387

Imagine his post if it’s Bouchard and not Nurse gloving the puck into his own net

 

[bobbythebrain]

He had a great game last night. It doesn't excuse his other poor performances tho.

We have one more game like this and man it starts to get real pretty quick. Seems like Bouchard shooting more on the PP night be the answer to cracking their aggressive PK.

It for sure shows the potential is there for him to keep growing and rounding out his game. Hopefully game 6 we get this Bouchard showing up.


This is for sure true. Defensemen peak way later.

He has shot on the PK, even hitting some posts

You choose to cherry pick. So today he's ok in your books cuz he got one thru and took shots

The other loss he was garbage cuz he took shots and got blocked, but you conveniently left out he almost tied it with a crossbar

The funny thing is, the shot attempts haven't changed...only your horrible game assessments have

It's like Hockey for Dummies, but not in a lamen terms kinda way

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

He has shot on the PK, even hitting some posts

You choose to cherry pick. So today he's ok in your books cuz he got one thru and took shots

The other loss he was garbage cuz he took shots and got blocked, but you conveniently left out he almost tied it with a crossbar

The funny thing is, the shot attempts haven't changed...only your horrible game assessments have

It's like Hockey for Dummies, but not in a lamen terms kinda way

Chill. I never once said the posts he hit were bad. I'm saying it's good he's shooting. I complimented him.

When I go after Bouchard it's because of his brain dead turnovers. (which have been present too often)

You just attack everything I say. Relax and go work on your grammar.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Chill. I never once said the posts he hit were bad. I'm saying it's good he's shooting. I complimented him.

When I go after Bouchard it's because of his brain dead turnovers. (which have been present too often)

You just attack everything I say. Relax and go work on your grammar.

When you post stuff like Bouchard costing us the cup, it’s easy to dispute your nonsense.

You’ve been waiting, hoping and expecting him to fail all playoffs long.

Without Bouchard we don’t even make the finals.

 

[bobbythebrain]

Chill. I never once said the posts he hit were bad. I'm saying it's good he's shooting. I complimented him.

When I go after Bouchard it's because of his brain dead turnovers. (which have been present too often)

You just attack everything I say. Relax and go work on your grammar.

Nope. You definitely blasted him for blocked shots in those losses. Even called him a low IQ player for it


But you're a fan...amirite?

 

[TheNumber4]

Take the L already!!!

 

[alanschu]

Was reminded of my wife's reaction when I told her to look up Evan Bouchard.

"Who is this handsome old ma---- HE'S 23!?" hahahahaha

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Sad his efforts didn't result in the big prize but the Bouch was probably the 2nd best player this entire playoffs and had arguably the most dominant playoff run for a defenseman I've ever witnessed. Including 2006 Pronger and 2022 Makar. Wish we'd signed him to a long-term deal for 7 million or so last summer but too late now. Still need to do everything we can to ensure Bouchard remains an Oiler, even if it means an 8 figure cap hit.

 

[TheNumber4]

Dude was a stud. Proved himself to be a superstar moving forward. He should be proud of what he did for this team these playoffs. And should be confident that he can bring that and more moving forward.

 

[jukon]

Definitely want to see what he can do away from Ekholm before we unload a dump truck full of money.

Put him with Nurse for 20 games and see how he does.

 

[fuswald]

Definitely want to see what he can do away from Ekholm before we unload a dump truck full of money.

Put him with Nurse for 20 games and see how he does.

What did he do to be punished

 

[jukon]

What did he do to be punished

He broke Coffey's playoff record

 

[Stoneman89]

Definitely want to see what he can do away from Ekholm before we unload a dump truck full of money.

Put him with Nurse for 20 games and see how he does.

If he makes Nurse look reasonably competent, give him 12 mill and the key to the city.

 

[oobga]

If he makes Nurse look reasonably competent, give him 12 mill and the key to the city.

He has played with Nurse for 221 mins the last 2 years. Which is ~2.5x the amount of ice time that Broberg just got hyped up from playoffs to get 4.5M x 2 for.

xGF: Bouch with Nurse 61.1%. Without 59.79%. Nurse without 52.38%.
GF: together 52.17%, Bouch without 58.8%. Nurse without 51.49%

PDO together 0.971 so some of this time together was probably with Skinner/Campbell bed crapping which they did a lot of over the last 2 seasons.

IMO it's a waste of Bouch to play him with Nurse though. Find a solid defender that can babysit and stop Nurse's ice time from being tire fires in our end. Let our top D pair be a clinic where we are dominating chances with real contributions from all 5 players on the ice. It further strengthens Bouch's bargaining position too if he is babysitting Nurse and outperforming a 9.25M D on the other side all year. Would rather have him comparing himself with Ekholm all season.

 

[La Bamba]

Definitely want to see what he can do away from Ekholm before we unload a dump truck full of money.

Put him with Nurse for 20 games and see how he does.

I agree with this. This could solve the Nurse problem if they develop chemistry and solidify Bouchard's greatness lol

Ekholm is a strong mentor and I would want to pair Emberson with him

 

[Mr Positive]

I would like to see us re sign Bouchard this summer. I don't see much reason why we would want to wait

Definitely want to see what he can do away from Ekholm before we unload a dump truck full of money.

Put him with Nurse for 20 games and see how he does.

I highly doubt Knoblauch will separate Bouchard and Ekholm. We did that last year for a bit at the start and it was one of many initiatives we did that crashed and burned

 

[Cypress]

Any word on when Bouchard and the Oilers are planning to negotiate a contract?

 

[oobga]

I agree with this. This could solve the Nurse problem if they develop chemistry and solidify Bouchard's greatness lol

Ekholm is a strong mentor and I would want to pair Emberson with him

Handicap Bouch's playmaking by Nurse creating chaos all night when he's out. Nurse needs a more stay home defender that can keep leaning to covering for his chaos. Then we handicap Ekholm by taking away the elite playmaking on his pair. Last time Ek had to babysit a young D, he was sent off as a cap dump with lots of term left on his deal.

Dunno if that will work out too well overall. Emberson might be the stay home guy that could work with Nurse. If not, Bowman has work to do still.