There are many ways to rank a defenceman in the NHL, combined with the natural propensity for a subjective take on where someone places certain individuals. Regardless, it's tough not to say the NHL Network has got it totally wrong when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blue liner Evan Bouchard.
On Wednesday, the NHL Network unveiled their top 20 defencemen as of right now, and for some inexplicable reason Bouchard was only placed at number nine. Even allowing for lists of this nature being put together to encourage debate and disagreement, this is a bad look for the NHL Network and undermines their credibility.
Here they are!
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 29, 2024
What do you think of our Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list? @NHL | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/UL0i1xtwWf
What makes it crazy, is that just to read the NHL Network's comments on Bouchard sans his ranking, you would think he had been placed higher. They write that he finished fifth in Norris voting -- which by the way, again he should have been higher -- and note his 32 points in the playoffs were the third-most ever by a defenceman.
As noted, the rankings are based on how the NHL Network perceives defenceman as of right now, but what the heck has changed since the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign? Did Bouchard kidnap a dog or steal a grandma's homemade apple pie?!?!
A career year in the NHL
This past season was easily the best yet, of Bouchard's time in the NHL. He set a whole host of career-bests, including 18 goals, 64 assists, 82 total points, a +34 rating and a significant 23:00 minutes of average ice time.
As already mentioned, Bouchard was on fire during the playoffs, playing a pivotal role in the Oilers going all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. It almost seems as if the NHL Network has intentionally ranked him at just number nine, to invoke the ire of Oilers fans and hockey folks in general.
Less controversial, was the NHL Network ranking Mattias Ekholm at number 16. Further, just the fact he was included in their top 20 full stop.
Ekholm is similarly coming off a career year, after career highs of 11 goals, 34 assists and 45 total points, not that he is renowned for his offensive game as such. He also had a +44 rating, which was third-best in the entire NHL.
Ekholm has been a revelation for the Oilers ever since his February 2023 trade from the Nashville Predators. He has taken the defence to another level in general, and helped Bouchard's game specifically.
Overall, that the Oilers have two of the NHL Network's top 20 defenceman right now, is pretty damn good. However, it still doesn't excuse them from ranking Bouchard at just number nine overall.