After months of speculation about Evan Bouchard's contract status, all the rumours and stories surrounding the player have finally come to rest. He recently signed a two-year bridge deal worth $7.8 million. The expectation from the Oilers' management was that they would take this course of action.
According to Bouchard himself, who has opened up for the first time about his new deal, negotiations were close for some time.
Bouchard was the last remaining Oiler without a contract extension, as he was a restricted free agent. With summer winding down and the training camp just around the corner in the next few weeks, the pressure was mounting on General Manager Ken Holland to make a deal with Bouchard, who is one of their top four defensemen.
It is reassuring to see that this matter has been resolved, and the Oilers have secured him for another two seasons. As more of their star players, including Leon Draisaitl and Bouchard, become available for unrestricted free agency around the same time, the Oilers' contract situation will become more complex.
