John Klingberg is becoming a member of the Edmonton Oilers, and on the floor, this transfer seems to be a wise, calculated threat by the staff. The aim is so as to add a possible top-four defenseman who, if all goes nicely, may slot in on the second pair alongside Darnell Nurse. Nevertheless, may Klingberg’s arrival create strain for a participant like Evan Bouchard?
Whereas Bouchard has performed nicely total, he has skilled his share of up and down moments. Thursday’s recreation was an ideal instance. He received walked on a aim by Nathan MacKinnon but in addition scored the game-winner on a bullet of some extent shot. What the Oilers try to find out is Bouchard’s stage of consistency and what that’s price as a free agent. On the verge of an enormous long-term extension, Edmonton desires to get it proper.
In the meantime, if Klingberg can recapture even a fraction of the shape he displayed throughout his peak years with the Dallas Stars, it may increase questions in regards to the Oilers’ present power-play quarterback.
Associated: John Klingberg Signing with the Edmonton Oilers
Is Bouchard’s Spot on the Oilers at Danger?
This isn’t to recommend that Bouchard must be anxious the Oilers will transfer on. Nevertheless, a wholesome and productive Klingberg may present Edmonton with a backup plan, each this season and subsequent. If Bouchard doesn’t discover a constant stage the place he’s stable on each ends of the ice, he now has somebody on the staff who may slot in and run the top-unit energy play. Bouchard hasn’t had anybody threaten his spot there. Now he does.
Bouchard has been a key contributor to Edmonton’s historically dominant energy play, however Klingberg’s offensive instincts and puck-moving skills supply another. Like a backup goalie difficult a starter, the addition may doubtlessly spark competitors between the 2. Bouchard may arguably use that kick within the pants. Each gamers might reply positively to the inner competitors.
What About Lengthy-Time period?
It’s far too early to know what Klingberg can do. However, if he’s stable, the Oilers might wind up with somewhat additional negotiating leverage in the event that they know that Klingberg is succesful and prepared to signal for a fraction of the associated fee Bouchard is likely to be. Hypothesis is {that a} long-term deal for Bouchard will run as a lot as $10 or $11 million per season. The Oilers, in the event that they may also help it, would like to not pay that a lot.
If Klingberg walks in and exhibits he’s able to taking up with dynamic gamers and produces comparable offensive outcomes with the identical alternative, the Oilers can realistically argue that Bouchard is much less of a necessity. Do the Oilers wish to maintain Bouchard? In fact. With Klingberg of their again pocket, would Bouchard have to consider how exhausting he pushes to get each final greenback out of the group? Perhaps.
A Attainable Wake-Up Name for Bouchard
Till it’s clear that Klingberg can return to taking part in at an NHL stage, this stays a moot level. Nevertheless, the truth that the Oilers signed Klingberg within the first place ought to give Bouchard one thing to consider. On the very least, it’d function a wake-up name that the staff felt the necessity to usher in a defenseman who, in some ways, shares a virtually an identical ability set.
For Bouchard, it’s a reminder that his function is just not assured and that competitors inside the roster can rapidly change the dynamic.
Subsequent: Changing John Tavares’ Offense: A Problem for the Maple Leafs
