Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm have been two of the defensive mainstays as the Edmonton Oilers evolved from a playoff team to a Stanley Cup contender.
But as the Oilers look to evolve from a Stanley Cup contender to a Stanley Cup winner, it seems that the line is set to be broken up.
As observed in training camp, it seems that Mike Babcock is opting to switch out Ekholm for ex-Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea in terms of Bouchard's line-mate for the upcoming season. For an Oilers' organization that has definitely seen its fair share of surprises and head-scratching moves, this (at least at the surface level) easily falls into that category. After all, Bouchard and Ekholm led Oilers defensemen in points last season, while the former was second to McDavid in assists.
On top of that, the two collectively gave up just eight goals while on the same line during the 2022-23 season. When they weren't on the ice during that same campaign, the Oilers gave up 109 goals. And in each of the next three seasons, the Oilers sans Bouchard-Ekholm gave up two times more goals than they did with them on the ice together.
Statistically speaking, it's possible to conclude that splitting a pairing that has dominated the Oilers' defensive core in point production could very well risk its collective two-way nature.
But is there a method to Babcock's madness?
Admittedly, yes.
Shea recorded 35 points last season and a 30 plus/minus rating. If one were to transpose Shea's statistics to the Oilers' team scoring from last season, he would be third among defensemen (to only Ekholm and Bouchard) in points and second to Ekholm in terms of plus/minus rating.
If one were to make the aforementioned statistical argument, then one could use the last point and counter by saying "The statistical drop-off from Ekholm to Shea isn't that great, and it helps spread out the scoring depth." That could be true; if so, moving Ekholm down a line to work Shea in would help create two lines capable of scoring at a consistent rate.
Another worthy counterargument is that Connor Murphy, who was acquired via trade with the Chicago Blackhawks last winter for a second-round pick in the 2028 draft, brings size and a style of play that complements Ekholm's portfolio. While one could say that Ty Emberson more or less achieves the same thing minus the point-scoring, Babcock seems to be making the point that Ekholm can play either or and that he is willing to play his match-the-matchup card based on who the Oilers are playing.
All of those points could be seen to be observed at training camp, and they seem to help Babcock's style sit well in the organization.
This causes a ripple effect on the Oilers defence
Given the new-look combination of Shea-Bouchard, could Babcock choose to roll out; Ekholm-Murphy and Walman-Emberson?
For Babcock, it's a dream come true of toughness-meets-destructive-scoring-power.
For everyone else, you're McCooked and there's nothing you can do about it.
But the above lines do well to maintain the Oilers' scoring edge while ensuring that they're all not trying to spend 60 minutes being McDavid wannabes and instead spending 60 minutes playing smart hockey.
If the Oilers want to match the structured, disciplined, aggressive Vegas Golden Knights? Move Ekholm alongside Murphy or Emberson and put Shea alongside Bouchard.
But if the Oilers want to try and outpace the Colorado Avalanche and win those kind of shootout-style games? Put Ekholm back alongside Bouchard and move Shea down to the second defensive pairing.
The constant in both situations? There's physicality and scoring on every line. Keeping Jake Walman on the third line achieves this; though Walman struggled mightily last year, he is capable of being the kind of player that Murphy and Ekholm are. On top of that, he is coming off a 20-point season, one that saw him record eight goals and 12 assists.
With Bouchard quarterbacking the notoriously-two-way unit like he's Josh Allen, Ekholm holding the fort alongside Murphy, and Walman scoring on the third-line, Babcock has three lines fully capable of supporting the superstar forward group.
Together? A defense that could very well be one of the more feared in the NHL.
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