Oilers: Evan Bouchard’s Keys to Success, Profile and Expectations
The Edmonton Oilers have another homegrown top-end defenseman in Evan Bouchard. This will be the first season we get to see him on a regular basis.
Evan Bouchard, the Edmonton Oilers’ 10th overall pick in the 2018 NHL entry draft, will likely be getting his first look as a full time NHL player this season. With the trading away of Ethan Bear opening up a spot on the right side there is now a spot there for him. That spot is Bouchard’s to take and run with.
Bouchard will be starting as the 3rd pairing right defenseman this season. After being on the COVID taxi squad last season, it will be nice to see him in the lineup full time to see what he can do.
Stats From The Past:
Keys To Success:
1. Keep It Simple- There is a jump in skill coming from the AHL to the NHL. The time that Evan Bouchard will have to make plays will be shorter now than in the AHL. In order to make the most of that time, he will need to not over complicate the plays he makes on the ice. If he keeps his game simple and avoids large mistakes he should be able to succeed in the NHL.
2. Have A Short Memory– All defenseman make mistakes no matter how good they are or how long they have been in the league. The difference is how they handle the error and bounce back. Evan Bouchard is going to make bad plays that may end with the puck in the back of the Oilers net. He has to be able to shake it off and learn from those mistakes. If he holds on to every wrong play and it weighs on him, he is going to have a rough season.
3. Take Advantage Of Power Play Time– With the re-signing of Tyson Barrie, Bouchard will not be on the first unit power play. With that said he will likely be getting a look when Barrie comes off the ice. This is likely going to be a max time of 40 seconds, but in that 40 seconds he will still be looked at to make good plays. Bouchard has been a good defenseman on the power play at every level on his way to the NHL. There is no reason to think that it will be different now he is in the NHL.
Expectation:
I expect Bouchard to fit in seamlessly in the Edmonton Oilers lineup. I have expectations that he will move up the lineup fast if he is able to play a solid game. On opening night he is likely going to be on the 3rd pairing. I think by the end of the season he will be on one of the top pairings. With his puck skills, it will benefit the team to have him on the ice with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.