According to Paul Almeida, a former radio host and famous Oilers X poster, “Wouldn’t shock me one bit if the Oilers are taking calls on Bouchard.”
The put up got here because the Oilers barely beat the Buffalo Sabres, and Bouchard struggled once more. A dynamic offensive defenseman, who’s often underrated for the general defenseman he’s, Evan Bouchard is a polarizing determine in Edmonton. When Bouchard makes a mistake, it’s evident. When he botches a play or causes a turnover, it’s loud. His errors typically result in 10-bell probabilities, which may drive the fan base ballistic, though Bouchard is presented offensively and makes some unimaginable performs too.
When requested if he was being severe or had inside info that Bouchard could be somebody the Oilers take into account buying and selling, Almeida responded, “It’s incumbent on the GM to seek out out what’s on the market for a participant earlier than you make investments 8 years at large $ on him.” He added, “If he doesn’t do it then he’s not doing his job.”
There’s seemingly nothing to this put up. No less than not when it comes to the Oilers having a commerce they’re engaged on. However, the timing is fascinating.
Bouchard had one other tough outing and there was a blockbuster commerce this week involving three groups, with doubtlessly extra strikes to return. If the Colorado Avalanche can commerce Mikko Rantanen, there’s no purpose to assume the Oilers can’t commerce Bouchard. Almeida’s put up could be drawing extra consideration as a result of that vast deal went down and shocked a ton of hockey followers.
The actual fact the Oilers are additionally able to insert John Klingberg into the lineup has folks like Almeida questioning if Bouchard turns into expendable. A video surfaced of Klingberg defending Connor McDavid in observe, and Klingberg regarded fairly good. Realistically, the Oilers may not want each Klingberg and Bouchard if Klingberg works out.
If the Oilers do commerce Bouchard, they’ll be on the lookout for an enormous return and interested by their future wage cap state of affairs. Bouchard is probably going going to make between $8-$10 million on a long-term deal and the Oilers may not be prepared to speculate that form of cash into somebody in the event that they haven’t first explored each different choice.
Subsequent: Oilers’ Star Large Purpose Rantanen Traded by Avalanche
