NHL insider reveals Bouchard's amazing playoffs will change contract ask
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
According to Frank Seravalli of the daily faceoff, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard will likely receive a contract north of $10 million per season.
During his weekly Daily Faceoff Live, Seravalli feels that Bouchard's production in the offseason and over his last two years will certainly warrant a major pay hike over $10 million.
Playoff performances has pushed Bouchard into elite money
It's hot. I have to think that, with yet another repeat playoff performance - (his) third consecutive postseason of at least 17 points, he's (scored) 75 points in 67 career postseason games, which is an incredible pace. That's a 93-point pace over an 82-game regular season.
And beyond that, he's put himself in some incredible company now, 33rd all-time in postseason points by a defenceman. He is closing in on or just passed Rob Blake, who has played double the number of postseason games - and by the way, Rob Blake is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
I think the Oilers were hopeful at one point this season that they might have been able to squeeze him in at $8.5-million, but I think these playoffs have probably exploded that pipe dream.
- Frank Seravalli
And beyond that, he's put himself in some incredible company now, 33rd all-time in postseason points by a defenceman. He is closing in on or just passed Rob Blake, who has played double the number of postseason games - and by the way, Rob Blake is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
I think the Oilers were hopeful at one point this season that they might have been able to squeeze him in at $8.5-million, but I think these playoffs have probably exploded that pipe dream.
- Frank Seravalli
Many felt that Bouchard's game was off to a rocky start during these playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings as the entire team was also struggling defensively along with questionable goaltending.
Since the team turned the corner midway through the first round, players like Bouchard have stepped up their game and have given fantastic performances for the Oilers which has now put them within one game of the Stanley Cup finals.
Oilers will be juggling contracts this summer
No matter the effort on where the Oilers end their season this year, general manager Stan Bowman along with his staff will have a very busy summer as they will be juggling contracts and negotiating with both Bouchard and superstar Connor McDavid.
Before any change to the roster, the Oilers currently have $12 million in cap space and the team will likely need to make significant alterations to fit Bouchard along with other players for next season.
Despite this facing the team, the fan base along with the Oilers management and coaching staff are enjoying the moment and hoping that they can enter the Stanley Cup finals once again.
Game 5 will take place in Dallas TX on May 29th and game time will be 8:00 PM eastern.
| POLL | ||
MAI 29 | 870 ANSWERS NHL insider reveals Bouchard's amazing playoffs will change contract ask Do you think that the Oilers should sign Evan Bouchard to a contract over $10 million per season? | ||
| Yes | 349 | 40.1 % |
| No | 521 | 59.9 % |
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