Evan Bouchard is staying with the Edmonton Oilers.
The 25-year-old defenseman has signed a four-year, $42 million extension, according to multiple sources.
Assuming the Oilers can figure out a long-term extension with Connor McDavid, he, Bouchard, Leon Draisaitl, and Darnell Nurse will take up a significant portion of their salary (they are already at a combined $46.25 million for 2025-26). That is a risky approach for a contender.
Bouchard is a gifted offensive defenseman, notching 55 goals and 238 points through 347 games, including 32 goals and 149 points over the last two campaigns.
He is a crucial piece of Edmonton’s power play with his electrifying, right-handed shot from the point and quarterbacking abilities (although it does help to play alongside McDavid and Draisaitl).
Bouchard was a pending restricted free agent, and while the $10.5 million annual average value is a tick higher than most Oilers fans would have hoped for, he is their best right-handed defenseman by a mile and is worthy of retention.
There have been questions about Bouchard as a defender and his compete level, as he often disappears from the play for long stretches at a time. Now that he is entering his prime years, he needs to play a more consistent brand, especially in the playoffs.
Regardless of Bouchard’s defensive deficiencies, Edmonton needed to keep as much of its two-time consecutive Western Conference champions’ core as possible.
The Oilers still need to address McDavid as he enters his critical contract year, and other depth forwards would bolster their shot at finally hoisting the Stanley Cup. Still, keeping Bouchard for the long haul should ease some of those McDavid worries, as this is a front office committed to winning.
