Oilers may be closer to contract extension with star defenceman after reporter changes tune
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
Oilers star defenceman Evan Bouchard has taken some serious criticism from the media this season, but after an abrupt change of tone, fans are wondering if the team is inching closer toward a deal with him.
Bouchard hasn't met his incredible career highs from last season, but still has been a star player for the Oilers this year, and is expected to command up to $11M on a long term contract extension.
Oilers fans believe team may be closer to contract extension with Evan Bouchard
Oilers reporter Mark Spector has been one of Bouchard's biggest critics through this season, but after Jakob Chychrun has signed his long term contract extension, Spector went on the Jason Gregor show to claim the Oilers should lock up Bouchard.
He's as good of an offensive defenceman as there is in the sport, so if Chychrun gets 9, if I'm (Bouchard's) agent, I want to get 10 or 11 (million), don't you?
I think there's a hell of a player here, and if I'm the Oilers, let's just wrap this guy up and have him on our team. Am I going to go out and find a better guy? Is that what I'm going to do? I doubt it.
- Mark Spector
I think there's a hell of a player here, and if I'm the Oilers, let's just wrap this guy up and have him on our team. Am I going to go out and find a better guy? Is that what I'm going to do? I doubt it.
- Mark Spector
Because this is such a sharp turn of opinion for Spector, fans believe the team may be getting close to a contract. It may not be the case, but it's a very interesting turn.
Spector's criticism of Bouchard lies in his supposed defensive weakness and costly turnovers. However, data shows that Bouchard's turnovers haven't been a problem, and he consistently ranks among the top rated defenceman in advanced stats.
Most importantly, Bouchard's raw offensive numbers are certainly extremely impressive. He was able to put up a rare point per game season last year with 82 points, and even this year where most of the Oilers scoring is down, he's scored 55 points.
The fact that the Oilers aren't going to find a better puck moving defenceman anywhere else is also very true. With the salary cap rising too, Bouchard's contract will age very well in the future.
Edmonton needs to pursue a long term deal with Bouchard as soon as possible, and especially avoid a bridge deal. If they can get Bouchard locked up to anything around $11M, he'll provide positive value to the Oilers for the duration of a max length contract.
| POLL | ||
MARS 26 | 710 ANSWERS Oilers may be closer to contract extension with star defenceman after reporter changes tune Do you think the Oilers should sign Bouchard long term? | ||
| Long term | 156 | 22 % |
| Short term | 338 | 47.6 % |
| Don't sign him at all | 216 | 30.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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