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Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard has shocking rank for turnovers in NHL
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Edmonton Oilers media and some fans have been extremely critical of Evan Bouchard this season, but new statistics from a top NHL analyst is putting major concerns around the defenceman to rest.
Bouchard has a breakout season for 82 points last year and is due for a contract extension after this year, but Oilers media has been skeptical of his contract asking price due to reduced scoring and turnovers.
Top NHL analyst squashes major concerns about Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard
According to a new post on social media from Sportlogiq director of analytics Mike Kelly, Evan Bouchard actually ranks 5th best in the NHL based on turnover rate, and top 10 in every other category.
The most raw amount of turnovers are bound to happen from players who possess the puck most often, which can cause Bouchard to stick out to fans as the player giving away the puck most often.
Turnover rate would factor in just how many successful plays Bouchard makes every game. If 89% of his passes are connecting to the Oilers forwards, that's incredibly effective.
The other major concern about Bouchard is the defensive side of the game. However, just like his turnovers, those concerns look like a misconception.
In his minutes separated from McDavid the last two seasons, Bouchard ranks 3rd among NHL defensive for high-danger chance share.
Evan Bouchard's biggest weaknesses debunked
Although his scoring has dipped this season along with plenty of other Oilers, Bouchard is still one of the most elite defenceman in the NHL, and is taking an unfair amount of criticism from the media for problems that are literally non-existent.
Hopefully the noise doesn't get to Bouchard too much, and he can continue to focus on his game and being an elite player in Edmonton for years to come.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 5 | 419 ANSWERS Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard has shocking rank for turnovers in NHL Do you think Evan Bouchard is a top 10 NHL defenceman? | ||
| Yes | 139 | 33.2 % |
| No | 280 | 66.8 % |
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