1. Evan Bouchard – Defence (10th overall, 2018)
Like most of the Oilers’ previous first-round picks, Evan Bouchard shoots right to the top of the prospect pool. Everyone knew the Oilers were targeting a defenceman with their first pick this year. But to Oilers fans surprise, the team had its choice of highly touted defenders Bouchard and Noah Dobson as well as sniper Oliver Wahlstrom.
All three were projected to be gone by the Oilers stepped to the podium, but Chiarelli and his staff couldn’t have been more pleased to get the potential top pairing, right-shot offensive defenceman they have been trying to acquire for years. Last season, Bouchard was named the Knights’ captain and led all OHL defenceman in assists (62) and points (87) in 67 games, becoming the first defenceman to finish in the top 10 in league scoring since Ryan Ellis in 2010-11.
I believe Bouchard, who has played three full seasons in the OHL and turns 19 in October, will be on the flight to Europe with the Oilers to start the season and get his nine-game audition with the big club. Then, he will likely be sent back to the London Knights, and hopefully, earn a spot on Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship this Christmas.
However, if Head Coach Todd McLellan gives the 18-year-old sheltered third pairing minutes and tons of time on the power-play (where he excels), then there is a chance he sticks around all year. The Edmonton Oilers have a future stud defenceman in Bouchard, and he should be a full-time NHL player no later than 2019-20.