Sooooo how about Evan Bouchard's defense last night

[Dion TheFluff]

anybody who thought this guy was one of the top D in the league were completely out to lunch. He's a result of the PP He's playing on as his numbers are showing this year. Also super prone to major defensive gaffes.

 

[thefutures]

He needs to be paid more than nurse

 

[Frank Drebin]

Having said that. His body of work is much better than 2 hillariousky bad periods. And Stu is allowed to make a save on one of those at the least.

While I am somewhat concerned about Bouchard's brain dead lazy plays, I am more concerned that we are in year 3 of the Stuart Skinner experiment with no apparent plans to change course.

 

[EpochLink]

Bouchard about to get that 11 million per year by Edmonton by just crip walk-in on his defense.

Guy played well in his Finals run last year, that warrants the pay day.

 

[Breakers]

That last goal is embarrassing

 

[MessierII]

2nd goal looks bad but honestly isn't necessarily the wrong decision from Bouchard.

He should have been hustling earlier in the play, yes, but I don't think either he or Ekholm thought there was a Leaf even close. Once McMann beats them both, Ekholm is in the best position to contest him and Bouchard is slowing down to stay in front of the net and clean up a rebound.

I agree but still you have to read the play better initially. The first goal pissed me off more at the time because attempting that pass was completely unnecessary and they were still in control of the game late in the third.

 

[Bender Duster]

The second one is funny because he skates the fastest right after the goal

Yep. Like he doesn’t want to be seen in the highlight package of the goal

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Wtf was that 2nd one. Almost looked like he thought the ref was his d partner at first

 

[MCR74]

It's just an avant-garde take on being a top pairing defenseman. He's reinventing the position. Wouldn't expect the uncultured swine of HFBoards to get it.

Who was the last D to reinvent the position? Karlsson? We've seen plenty of these highlight reel plays from him too.

Yep. Like he doesn’t want to be seen in the highlight package of the goal

Do you blame him?

 

[Coffey]

If they pay him anything over 7M. It’s over.

 

[eviohh26]

This is obvs all Skinners fault.

 

[ScottyMascotty]

Why do anybody need to care that much?

 

[Czechboy]

While I am somewhat concerned about Bouchard's brain dead lazy plays, I am more concerned that we are in year 3 of the Stuart Skinner experiment with no apparent plans to change course.

100 percent. I'm a bit different though. I like Stu but he needs a platoon goalie. He currently has no competition for starter. Pickard is a backup for spot duty. Rodrigue may actually end up better than him but yes not a threat either. A vanec k, vejmelka, Blackwood. Hindsight says lankinen would've been a better idea than 2 years of Pickard. Pickard should be an NHL backup to someone like Helle or sorokin.

 

[MCR74]

Controller disconnect

I like how you refer to that as "defense" in the thread title.

 

[GrumpyKoala]

Nothing to be concerned about, wait until it matter

Although... Pre-Season is too damn long...

 

[The Macho King]

Why do anybody need to care that much?


View attachment 931983

Durrr my calculator say he's good!

 

[VanillaCoke]

Bouch is trash can't wait for that instant anchor extension

 

[Shanahanigans]

Bouchard has immense amounts of skill and talent , is generally a pretty smart player , but lapses in effort and judgement are what’s stopping him from being in the Makar/Hughes category of Dman. At his best, his on ice impacts are similar to theirs, such as the last 2 playoffs. But at his worst , he puts up bush league efforts, which you can’t do if you want to be a top Dman in this league.

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

I’ve given him grief in the past for being below average defensively, but he’s usually serviceable and can provide offense to make up for it.

That is some piss poor effort by him though. You cost your team big time doing crap like that.

 

[MCR74]

Bouchard has immense amounts of skill and talent , is generally a pretty smart player , but lapses in effort and judgement are what’s stopping him from being in the Makar/Hughes category of Dman. At his best, his on ice impacts are similar to theirs, such as the last 2 playoffs. But at his worst , he puts up bush league efforts, which you can’t do if you want to be a top Dman in this league.

Wait til those bush league efforts are rewarded with $10M+. It'll be awesome.

 

[Old Boys Club]

Wait til those bush league efforts are rewarded with $10M+. It'll be awesome.

Something something Marner and Matthews in the playoffs.

 

[MCR74]

Something something Marner and Matthews in the playoffs.

Something something Bouchard can't play defense.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

That's an embarrassing effort for even Pee Wee league. The coach should bench him for the next game to send a message.

 

[ORRFForever]

Worst defensive performance since.... Nurse.

 

[The Panther]

Not sure we needed a thread to announce that Bouchard had a rough gane. This just in: It happens to all players, including hall of famers.

By the aggregate of stats, Bouchard is a top-20 defenceman in the League this year, and I don't think he's been nearly as good as last year. His upside is huge.

As with all high-risk, high-reward players, there are going to be nights when he looks bad. It's just the nature of it.