That's what he was in the regular season here last year also. Then he became a shell of that player in the playoffs just like he did the year before that.
Have you seen the garbage we trot out day after day after our best 3 forwards ? Within a month Savoie will be skating circles around every one of them if not already. His hockey IQ is elite. Something this forward group lacks.
He signed him, called him best in class, then Bowman displayed that with Holloway, Broberg. Best in class indeed ! His interview just a week ago was mind numbing. Seravelli looked like a turtle asking him sofball questions. This is one time guys like Spector should grow sone balls and call him out like he calls players out.
We know what he is in the playoffs which is what matters the most.
I thought he played fine in the '23 playoffs. Last playoffs wasn't great 5v5 but was integral for the PK. And this team needs better PKers.
Why are we still talking about McLeod? Get over it.....
I've generally been a backer of Bouchard and still think it would be stupid to give up on him but he's been atrocious most of the season. The stats are one small part of the story, his turnovers are egregious and ill timed, he makes errors seemingly every game that you see top Dmen only make on occasion especially in the last month or so when he's been mindnumbingly bad. There's just no defending his play this season, he needs to be MUCH better.
I'm expecting you to be disappointed. I too would like to see something done to stop the bleeding, but I doubt it gets done before early next week, after they can presumably get an update on Kane and his trade list can be discussed.
He needs to be better. I agree. But you are wrong on the rest of your assessment. He gives the puck away on just 11% of his possessions- that's 6th best for all d-men in the league. HE literally handles the puck more than any other d man because Ekholm defers to him....alot
Bowman said he's looking at March 1st at the day to get more clarity on Kane's situation. I guess they won't do anything until after that day. It's also the last day of the Oilers roadtrip from hell (against Carolina). They knew this roadtrip was going to be rough and had it on their radar for a while. I bet they're looking at March 4, against the Ducks, as a reset.
Oilers are actually first in the league for expected goals against on the PK but 27th for actual goals against. The goalies aren't making saves.
You nailed it. IMO they are playing the Kane situation perfectly and probably already have trades lined up.
Oilers management are giving me smarter than everyone else vibes when it comes to fixing our goaltending. Even though it’s clearly our biggest weakness I’m starting to believe the media when they say the Oilers aren’t looking at addressing it.
The thing is, not all turnovers are created equally. The turnovers, like for example the one on that pivotal goal against Colorado right before the break, have happened far too often with him almost every game it seems like in the last month or two. They're generally really ugly turnovers and happen at inopportune times.
Blueline blunders and pizzas up the middle have become a staple for him this season and those don't show up on any spreadsheet. A lesser defenseman would've been demoted. Bouchard was amazing in the playoffs last year but this year he looks like MA Bergeron.
