When will Bouchard be considered elite?

[BondraTime]

Erik Karlsson signed a 7-year deal for 10.11% of the cap (would be $8.89M or so today) as an RFA back in 2012 when he had 4 years left untill UFA status.

Bouchard only has 3 years left untill UFA, alongside a longer history of production in the playoffs and in the regular season.

Now, we could argue a higher personal impact as evidenced by a Norris trophy win in 2012, much weaker linemates, and a lower-scoring era in Karlsson's favor. We wouldn't be wrong.

But on pure numbers Bouchard definitely has an argument to be paid a higher percentage of the cap on his next contract if he signs long-term than Karlsson received in '12.

All of which to say that if the Oilers end up paying less than $9M on a long-term contract with Bouchard I personally think they will have done well.

Karlsson literally won the Norris 2 months before signing that deal

There is zero argument for him to be paid more than Karlsson.

 

[algernon]

Classic Panthers to throw on the choke hold when his back is turned though. Something in their players minds snap when they see the back of a jersey.

Gutless and cowardly from Ekblad.

Is "Tap-Out" clothing still a thing? Could see a sponsorship deal

 

[DomBarr]

All I've seen on here is people saying Bouchard is a PP merchant, product of Ekholm etc.

He's got 37 pts in the past 24 playoff games, he's +10 in plus minus this playoffs, 3 game winning goals. He was 4th highest scoring dman in the regular season with over a PPG and +34 in plus/minus.

I've watched a ton of Oilers games and he passes the eye test too imo. He's often the key to Oilers getting out of their own zone. And his play in the offensive zone is unmatched.

I'm just wondering what he has to do in order for people to consider him elite? He's basically setting playoff records for dmen and nobody gives him notice.

to be fair, Ekholm is the best dman that the Oilers have and he allows Bouchard to fully utilize his offensive skills by covering for Bouchard's defensive weakness.

 

[Fourier]

to be fair, Ekholm is the best dman that the Oilers have and he allows Bouchard to fully utilize his offensive skills by covering for Bouchard's defensive weakness.

NO doubt Bouchard and Ekholm complement one another very well but you may want to look at Bouchard's numbers with and without Ekholm.

Regular Season:
Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

Regular Season after the coaching change:

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

Playoffs:

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

 

[drktmplr12]

Classic Panthers to throw on the choke hold when his back is turned though. Something in their players minds snap when they see the back of a jersey.

Gutless and cowardly from Ekblad.

Mr gutless played through a broken foot, two shoulder dislocations, and oblique tears throughout the postseason last year.

what a coward

 

[drktmplr12]

considering its the biggest series of his life, are the below numbers elite?

they are totals for series so far

by comparison, useless forsling

should be interesting how last change shifts the dynamics

 

[DingerMcSlapshot]

When he grows a set. And isn't scared of his shadow. Not much of a Dman that's scared of the corners or contact. Big puss.

 

[theMajor]

NO doubt Bouchard and Ekholm complement one another very well but you may want to look at Bouchard's numbers with and without Ekholm.

Regular Season:
Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

Regular Season after the coaching change:

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

Playoffs:

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick

anything jumping out at you? the links you posted seem to show that Ekholm DOES allow Bouchard to be more offensive minded

 

[Fourier]

anything jumping out at you? the links you posted seem to show that Ekholm DOES allow Bouchard to be more offensive minded

The poster explicitly suggested that Ekholm covers for Bouchard's defensive weaknesses allowing him to be more offensive. This suggests that without Ekholm Bouchard's defense would be a significant issue. These numbers show that this has not been the case. Clearly, they work well together and of course Ekholm has been a rock defensively. In a way, Bouchard has also helped Ekholm offensively.

If you want to look at only at individual offensive numbers 5 vs 5 in the playoffs Bouchard has 2.15 pts/60 overall and 2.01 pts/60 with Ekholm. Over the regular season the numbers are 1.57 with Ekholm vs 1.52 without him.

 

[theMajor]

The poster explicitly suggested that Ekholm covers for Bouchard's defensive weaknesses allowing him to be more offensive. This suggests that without Ekholm Bouchard's defense would be a significant issue. These numbers show that this has not been the case. Clearly, they work well together and of course Ekholm has been a rock defensively. In a way, Bouchard has also helped Ekholm offensively.

If you want to look at only at individual offensive numbers 5 vs 5 in the playoffs Bouchard has 2.15 pts/60 overall and 2.01 pts/60 with Ekholm. Over the regular season the numbers are 1.57 with Ekholm vs 1.52 without him.

he had a really bad season last year (part of that was due to luck) but he's rebounded big time this year, I wouldnt say hes' weak defensively.... must have missed that part of the post. if anything, the only thing that surprises me about these numbers is how solid Ekholm is

 

[settinguptheplay]

Bouchard was horribad to start the year. His season turned around almost to the day Ekholm returned. Look at some of the Oiler threads early in the season. They too thought Bouchard was terrible. Which he was. Bouchard cannot carry a pairing and to be elite you need to be able to carry a pairing. He does have an elite skill though. His shot from the point is absolutely elite. Take that shot away and no one is talking about him.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Mr gutless played through a broken foot, two shoulder dislocations, and oblique tears throughout the postseason last year.

what a coward

Then he should be tough enough to get in a guy’s face instead of choking him out from behind. Gigantic bitch move.

 

[JKG33]

Yup he sure looks elite out there...

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

He looks stupid. Like someone who doesn't know 2+2=4.

 

[paulmm3]

Said this 10 pages ago and Oilers fans weren't happy but I feel I've had enough viewings of Bouchard to call him clearly a minus player defensively. Plus player offensively. Don't care what your fancy stats say

 

[Fourier]

he had a really bad season last year (part of that was due to luck) but he's rebounded big time this year, I wouldnt say hes' weak defensively.... must have missed that part of the post. if anything, the only thing that surprises me about these numbers is how solid Ekholm is

I am not sure how Bouchard had a really bad year last year. In pretty much his second year he had 40 points in the regular season and had 17 in 12 in the playoffs. Now his defensive game took a big step forward this year, as did his offensive game. But unless expectations were completely unreasonable his 2022-23 season was actually quite good.

 

[pockets321]

Then he should be tough enough to get in a guy’s face instead of choking him out from behind. Gigantic bitch move.

You would know a thing or two about bitch moves considering you have the biggest bitch on your team your team named Draisaitl.

Back to Bouchard, he's nothing more than a taller and softer Tyson Barrie.

 

[drktmplr12]

Welp it won't be today

!remindme 1 year

 

[TimeZone]

Another Jfresh special

Guy is beyond f***ing clueless in his own zone

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Wait until McDrai leaves. Then they’ll be stuck with a 9 million dollar Mike Green.

 

[Kingsfan1]

Classic Panthers to throw on the choke hold when his back is turned though. Something in their players minds snap when they see the back of a jersey.

Gutless and cowardly from Ekblad.

Wahhhh cry harder !!!

Stuff like that happens in every game during every scrum lol . Such a soft loser take . Your Oilers punk my Kings and give the extra dirty stuff every postseason . I aint hating i wish my Kings had balls to do shit like that but they just as soft as you .

 

[JPeeper]

Wait until McDrai leaves. Then they’ll be stuck with a 9 million dollar Mike Green.

The Mike Green disrespect.

 

[Mogo]

A better Marc-Andre Bergeron

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

Elite turnovers tonight.

 

[pizza line]

He a turnover machine.