Evan Bouchard will cost the Edmonton Oilers a lot of money.
When his bridge deal expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, the 24-year-old defenseman appears to be planning to cash it in. The Oilers are hardly halfway through the season, yet he’s already setting career highs in goals (14), assists (36) and points (50) on a $3.9 million contract.
If he continues on his current path, which there is no reason to assume he would not, he will double his current income and more.
Bouchard will have arbitration rights, and his case is already strong, since he ranks fifth in defenseman scoring, trailing only Quinn Hughes, Cale Maker, Noah Dobson, and Victor Hedman. If he can add a deep playoff run, or maybe a Stanley Cup, to his resume, the price will only rise.
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The fact that his contract expires at the same time as Leon Drasisaitl’s current contract does may put the franchise in a financial dilemma in the near future, but for the time being, it means the Oilers are getting the most out of their top offensive defenceman.
After a rocky start in which he went minus three in three of his first six games this season, he’s recovered magnificently, starting up where he left off in last year’s playoffs, when he finished with 17 points in 12 games.
“That was probably the best game I’ve seen him play in the last couple of weeks,” remarked head coach Kris Knoblauch, after Bouchard scored two goals, including the OT winner, against Dallas on Saturday, giving him six points in the last three games.
“He is really dangerous when he has the puck. He possesses the big bomb and the hefty shot, but most of his goals are small sifters and wristers from the point.
“He makes a little move walking the line, freezes the forward and then rips a nice little wrist shot inside the post.”
New Oiler Corey Perry sees a young defender with poise that belies his 24 years.
“He’s confident back there, there is no panic in his game,” Perry added. “When he gets the puck at the blue line he’s always making the right play.”
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