Insider believes Evan Bouchard could be the highest paid defenceman on the team in 2025-26
Evan Bouchard could very well the highest paid defenceman on the team come 2025-25.
Watching Evan Bouchard's game evolve over the years has been something beautiful to watch. He will be turning 25 next season, and the former 10th overall pick for the Oilers has earned himself a massive bump in pay.
Ever since Paul Coffey was hired as the assistant bench boss after the Oilers rough start last season, Bouchard's game has evolved into a top 10 calibre category.
TSN insider Frank Corrado says that Bouchard, who is currently making $3.9 million per season on a two-year contract signed in August 2023, will have a compelling case for a deal with an AAV of $10 million, especially if the defenceman puts up 90-95 points.
Last season saw Bouchard put up 82 points in the regular season and 32 more in the playoffs, in what was the most prolific offensive campaign by an Oilers blueliner not named Paul Coffey.
Earning $10 MM AAV per season would make Evan Bouchard the third highest paid Oiler on the team. With his new contract, it would surpass Darnell Nurse, who is currently signed to a 8-year contract with a cap hit of $9,250,000 per season. His contract expires at the end of the 2029-30 season, when Nurse is 35 years old, according to Puckpedia.
Despite $10 MM AAV being an absurdly large sum of money, Bouchard has earned it. All eyes will be on Bouchard this season as his numbers are expected to sky rocket with his position on the Oilers dynamite power-play.
source: The Hockey WritersTSN Analyst Projects Next Contract Values for Oilers' McDavid & Bouchard
| POLL | ||
11 SEPTEMBRE | 93 ANSWERS Insider believes Evan Bouchard could be the highest paid defenceman on the team in 2025-26 Does Bouchard deserve more than Nurse? | ||
| Yes | 62 | 66.7 % |
| No | 31 | 33.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
