Bouchard handles the puck more than any other player in the league. No other D man who has played with McDavid was able to put up the points Bouchard has. He had a rough start to the game, but then rallied with 3 points, +1 and played 28 mins.
He had 3 secondary assists giving pucks to McDavid and was the direct cause of 2 goals against on terrible turnovers and had a very weak play on the winning goal. For the minutes he plays he can’t make the defensive miscues he makes at the rate he makes them.
When you look at adjusted scoring where secondary assists are worth less he falls way down compared to other equally offensive D men.
He should be moved for a D man who can get pucks to McDavid and be steadier through 200 feet and more defensively aware before his $10+ M contract ask happens.
That said we also need a starting goalie that isn’t a backup. Holland put Skinner into a no win position by signing Campbell - thanks to a glowing recommendation by Mr Schwartz. JJ & Bowman failed the team by not addressing goaltending.