While the Edmonton Oilers have not officially announced it, Elliotte Friedman is back in business, posting on X that the Oilers and Evan Bouchard are closing in on a two-year contract. The contract would carry an average annual value of $3.9 million per season. The Oilers’ 2018 10th overall selection has taken on a major role in the past two years, becoming a rock for the Oilers power-play unit.
Evan Bouchard has been consistent in the past two seasons, playing nearly two years’ worth of games and only missing one game in the 2021-22 season. Bouchard posted a career-high in goals (12) and points (43) during his 2021-22 breakout campaign. This would be followed up with an eight-goal, 32 assists, and 40-point season during Bouchard’s 2022-23 season.
Related: Evan Bouchard Stats
Bouchard’s role took a massive step forward at the 2023 trade deadline after the Oilers acquired defenseman Matias Ekholm. This trade sent Tyson Barrie to the Nashville Predators and opened a world of opportunity for Bouchard on the power play.
This contract is similar to the deals that K’Andre Miller and Bowen Byram have signed. While the Oilers have no choice at this point but to bridge Bouchard, the advantage of a higher salary cap in two years could benefit the player and the team. This contract is a double-edged sword; it is peanuts for a player who is ready to become a star player and will back the Oilers into a corner two years down the road during negotiations.
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