Evan Bouchard on pace to break NHL record, but it's not what you think

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Finnegan Frost
November 9, 2024 (9:54)

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Edmonton Oilers Jason Gregor recently revealed on X (formally known as twitter that Evan Bouchard is currently on pace to break the NHL record for shot attempts blocked.

Bouchard, widely regarded for his signature "Bocuh-Bomb" shot is struggling to get his shots through this season.

Last season, Evan Bouchard was one of the best offensive defenseman in the NHL, surpassing the 100 point mark, earning him a a spot on the projected Team Canada roster ahead of the 4 Nation Cup.

With that being said, being on pace to break an NHL record like that isn't exactly a desirable one.

According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, The Oilers should be encouraging Bouchard to shoot because he has a history of success with the shot, but when it's going directly into a defenders shin pad, it causes turnovers that hurt the team. Bouchard needs to make better decisions of when to shoot, and move to positions to get the puck through to the net.

Bouchard's offensive talent has always been his best ability as a player, which makes up for his lesser results in his own zone as well. When he's not producing offensively as well, the defensive lapses look so much worse. A few times in recent games Bouchard has been caught fully flat footed, earning some hard criticism from fans and media.

Evan Bouchard's contract is set to expire in 2025-26, but so far, his play on the blue line has been less than ideal.

It has been reported that Evan Bouchard will be seeking a contract in the $10-11 million dollar range, but he hasn't been doing himself any favours.

The Edmonton Oilers are gearing up to take on a red hot Vancouver Canucks team tonight, and the Oilers will be looking to clean up their play on the blue-line after getting exposed against the Vegas Golden Knights.