Can Edmonton Afford To Keep Evan Bouchard?

Can Edmonton Afford To Keep Evan Bouchard?

The Mattias Ekholm trade worked but the Edmonton Oilers also screwed themselves in the process. Something I didn’t even mention in the previous link but should have. The Oilers gave Evan Bouchard the perfect opportunity during the final year of his entry level contract. It’s going to be a mistake they pay for. The only problem is, nobody really knows if they can afford him.

Erik Karlsson would have been perfect for this team. It was a complete and utter travesty Edmonton didn’t find a way to get the deal done at the deadline. If you were going to move off of Tyson Barrie, it should have been for the elite option to fill the void. The only thing failing to trade for Karlsson did was give Bouchard the opportunity to cash in on a likely payday he otherwise wouldn’t have gotten.

Bouchard, 23, notched 17 points in 12 playoff games for the Oilers. Those are ELITE numbers regardless of the fact that 15 came on the most dangerous powerplay that we have ever seen that includes Connor McDavid and Leon Draistaitl. It’s going to be a tricky contract to figure out and the smart insiders are talking about the potential elephant in the room.

"Again, I know what their plan is, their want to bridge him. I just don't know if that's, if it's feasable and if it makes sense" – @frank_seravalli on the Oilers and Evan Bouchard

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— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) May 15, 2023

At this point, the damage of the Ekholm trade has been done. Ekholm isn’t a bad player and proved to be a solid fit on the blue line. Ekholm helped out defensively but it still wasn’t enough. The left side with Nurse, Ekholm, and Kulak is set. Now it’s about getting the right side set up.

A Karlsson trade should still be on the table for the Oilers depending on how much the cap spikes. If there is a way to reel in Karlsson while sending Jack Campbell out of town in the deal, it’s something Edmonton has to do ten times out of ten. The Oilers need to find a top defenseman that’s better than whatever that bum Cody Ceci provides.

If the Oilers can work cap magic and send Campbell out, I’m not sure how they get this deal done. Bouchard has a ton of leverage after a great playoff run. Bouchard is not totally at the top of his game yet but the guy has a rocket of a shot that teams should want. Offer sheets are fickle around the league but given how pressed up against the cap the Oilers are, teams should really think about it.

Trade Grades: Mattias Ekholm is an Edmonton Oiler

The Evan Bouchard contract is going to be a fascinating one to monitor this offseason. I have no idea what it’s going to cost but I doubt it’s similar to the one Nic Hague signed this offseason. It’s going to cost a whole lot more and I’m not sure he’s even a better player.

What should be talked about is why the Oilers felt the need to do this? They gave Bouchard all the leverage in contract talks whether they meant to do it or not.

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