Edmonton Oilers: Evan Bouchard Signs Entry-Level Contract

Evan Bouchard and the Edmonton Oilers agreed yesterday to a three-year entry-level contract. Now he’ll have to prove his worth on the ice.

The Edmonton Oilers are only a few weeks removed from the NHL Draft where they selected Evan Bouchard with the 10th pick. Choosing the defenceman was not just a need that Peter Chiarelli had to address but also could also be a future cornerstone for the team (if he exceeds expectations).

It’s also fair to say that he can be used as a barometer that can be used against Peter Chiarelli if he doesn’t have a great season. Pressure and huge expectations not only fall squarely on Chiarelli but also on the coaching staff as well. Bouchard’s development on and off the ice will be critical of his overall progression as a first-round rookie.

The Deal

That’s why it was announced yesterday that the Edmonton Oilers had signed Evan Bouchard to an entry-level contract. It’ll be a three-year deal that is worth $4.975-million (via Edmonton Sun). It features a $92,500 signing bonus for each year.

Also, it includes performance teasers of at least $500,000 in each season. He’ll have a lot of motivation in trying to make to the team this fall. Especially since the Oilers defensive core is probably in the bottom-10 in the league, he could bump it up in the middle of the pack if he develops well.

With all the accolades and accomplishments Evan Bouchard has racked up so far in his career, he’s only just scratched the surface. With this three year deal in the books, the only thing he needs to do is to prove himself on the ice.

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That starts with this summer and trying to make the Canadian Junior team in a few weeks. After that to transition to training camp and trying to cut the roster before the season starts. This could line-up well for the 10th overall draft pick, and this contract could look like a bargain in the near future.