Player Discussion Evan Bouchard

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Posted in another thread but if I understand this Bouchard is playing twice as well as Dom's model predicted.

Yes and note that a net rating of 14 is usually reserved for above average 1D, Fringe Norris trophy candidate types. Bouchard is outperforming even those projections.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Yes and note that a net rating of 14 is usually reserved for above average 1D, Fringe Norris trophy candidate types. Bouchard is outperforming even those projections.

He's every bit the #1D. His playoffs has been amazing to watch, especially his success on the PK.

 

[McDoused]

Clearly ekholm is carrying Bouchard these playoffs.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

He's every bit the #1D. His playoffs has been amazing to watch, especially his success on the PK.

There’s only one poster who thinks that who also thinks he’s slow and stupid and sometimes plays like a AHL D

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

There’s only one poster who thinks that who also thinks he’s slow and stupid and sometimes plays like a AHL D

Yup and we all know the reason lol

 

[stewy04]

I already told you that. Bouchard was top 10 this year. Which is a step back from last year, but still an extremely good and valuable player.

Looks like I'm glad I ignored someone... I can only see your comments ha.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

There’s only one poster who thinks that who also thinks he’s slow and stupid and sometimes plays like a AHL D

And there is only 1 poster who thinks he would have been Canada's second best defensemen......

 

[Mr Positive]

Clearly ekholm is carrying Bouchard these playoffs.

Ekholm's injury has been a gift to Bouchard's agent, no doubt. If we can have Ekholm back before it's too late then we can have our cake and eat it too

Bowman needs to sign him up right after we win the cup. He'll be an offer sheet target for sure. Whatever gross amount he's asking for, his offer sheet will be worse. Some loser team with nothing but cap space will toss money at him

 

[CupofOil]

Just mad again that we don't have Bouch locked up long term already. Really hoping he's emotionally committed to this team. Very tough summer coming for Bowman if Bouch and his agent are looking for max value.

Gotta try to push that out of mind and just enjoy these playoffs for now

Yep, should have locked him up sooner and get out ahead of it but I'm sure Bouchard and his agent were content on waiting knowing that this very thing would happen with him having another strong playoff. It is what it is, the Oilers have an elite Dman entering his prime who is a big game player. Just give him #1 Dman money and be done with it.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Ekholm's injury has been a gift to Bouchard's agent, no doubt. If we can have Ekholm back before it's too late then we can have our cake and eat it too

Bowman needs to sign him up right after we win the cup. He'll be an offer sheet target for sure. Whatever gross amount he's asking for, his offer sheet will be worse. Some loser team with nothing but cap space will toss money at him

I think they tried to set a team precedent that if you accept an offer sheet you are gone. Especially if we don't win this year. Accepting one is not great for team moral.

You aren't wrong that Ekholm's injury has boosted up Bouchard's AAV by a lot. Hopefully we win the cup and Bouchard's great play will have been worth something.

 

[Mr Positive]

I think they tried to set a team precedent that if you accept an offer sheet you are gone. Especially if we don't win this year. Accepting one is not great for team moral.

You aren't wrong that Ekholm's injury has boosted up Bouchard's AAV by a lot. Hopefully we win the cup and Bouchard's great play will have been worth something.

I bet Bouchard isn't all about the money, but just like with Nurse, we've been squeezing him for years to force him to play underpaid, and so he's not going to leave a ton on the table. Hopefully all this playoffs does is speed up a deal that was already on the table, rather than re-set the table

 

[CupofOil]

Clearly ekholm is carrying Bouchard these playoffs.

Man did Bouchard smash that narrative into pieces. He might be even better this playoff than last defensively, without Ekholm. Seems like the talks of him being a top 10 Dman in the league this past offseason were justified. I'll take a Dman with a so so regular season that elevates to god status in the playoffs every time and we're talking about 14 goals, 67 points and a +14 with his usual strong metrics being "so so" lol. I wonder how much of his dips this season were due to Ekholm not being himself.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Man did Bouchard smash that narrative into pieces. He might be even better this playoff than last defensively, without Ekholm. Seems like the talks of him being a top 10 Dman in the league this past offseason were justified. I'll take a Dman with a so so regular season that elevates to god status in the playoffs every time and we're talking about 14 goals, 67 points and a +14 with his usual strong metrics being "so so" lol. I wonder how much of his dips this season were due to Ekholm not being himself.

He is for certain playing better this playoffs than last

 

[Tobias Kahun]

And there is only 1 poster who thinks he would have been Canada's second best defensemen......

Besides makar and maybe Morrisey who would be clear cut better than Bouchard?

So I guess he’d be 3rd best, a lot closer to being true than saying he plays like a AHLer some games.

 

[McFlyingV]

These playoffs without Ekholm should be all the convincing anyone needs to be comfortable giving Bouchard 10M (or even a bit higher) long-term. Idgaf how many bad turnovers he has in the regular season when he's been a Norris level/Conn Smythe level Dman for the past 3 years in the playoffs on top of a pretty good rookie year in the playoffs.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

And there is only 1 poster who thinks he would have been Canada's second best defensemen......

The way that he's playing now? 100% he would've been.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

These playoffs without Ekholm should be all the convincing anyone needs to be comfortable giving Bouchard 10M (or even a bit higher) long-term. Idgaf how many bad turnovers he has in the regular season when he's been a Norris level/Conn Smythe level Dman for the past 3 years in the playoffs on top of a pretty good rookie year in the playoffs.

I'm glad that after a rough season for him that he has dialed back into old man Bouch.

 

[badi]

I'm glad that after a rough season for him that he has dialed back into old man Bouch.

That rough season as you Said is still 90% better than other NHL defenseman

 

[Bryanbryoil]

That rough season as you Said is still 90% better than other NHL defenseman

Definitely offensively.

 

[foshizzle]

Yes and note that a net rating of 14 is usually reserved for above average 1D, Fringe Norris trophy candidate types. Bouchard is outperforming even those projections.

Hopefully the “Ekholm makes Bouchard” bullshit can end

 

[foshizzle]

Definitely offensively.

Nope- defensively as well.

 

[foshizzle]

I'm glad that after a rough season for him that he has dialed back into old man Bouch.

I’m not sure where this comes from. His metrics were better than guys like Makar and Werenski. He’s was 6th in scoring, and a high danger suppression machine. He also handled the puck a ton and 11% of his possessions were turnovers- good for 6th best in the league. It’s absolutely criminal how much hate he gets for being elite

 

[badi]

List of defensemen ahead of Evan Bouchard in points per game all time in the playoffs:

- Bobby Orr

That’s it. That’s the list.

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

That assist on McDavid's 2nd goal was a thing of beauty.
What poise.
Oh yeah, playing like a** though.
Am I doing this right?

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

And there is only 1 poster who thinks he would have been Canada's second best defensemen......

Who's better than him besides Makar? Doughty, Parayko, and Sanheim? LMFAO! Devon Toews was like the make a wish kid being carried by Makar. Harley actually played very well for Canada at 4 Nations but we're all watching this series right now. They're not the same tier of player. Not even close. Only one you might be able to argue is Morrissey, but Morrissey wasn't able to control almost every shift the way number 2 can. Meanwhile Bouchard is making Heiskanen/Harley look like Lindell/Ceci and is making Lindell/Ceci look like, well, Lindell/Ceci.