Evan Bouchard and Edmonton Oilers May Be Forced to Part Ways After This Season

Following the Oilers' decision to part ways with Tyson Barrie after the trade deadline, Evan Bouchard's stock level rose rapidly this season. The right-handed shot defenseman quickly moved up to the top four and was paired with Matthias Ekholm, leading to a significant improvement in his performance statistics. As a result, Bouchard is now seeking a significant pay increase as he completes his three-year contract worth nearly $5 million.

Currently, the Oilers have approximately $8.5 million in cap space for the season, with only 15 players signed thus far. However, Frank Seravalli has suggested that if the team is unable to reach a bridge deal with Bouchard's camp, he may be traded over the summer due to the Oilers' inability to afford him.

Bouchard's impressive performance in the top four is evident in his statistics from the previous season, where he played in all 82 games, scored eight goals, provided 32 assists, and earned a total of 40 points with a +6 rating. Additionally, he had 28 penalty minutes and 13 power-play points.

As a restricted free agent next season, Bouchard has no rights and may go to arbitration or be traded to another team. Nonetheless, his remarkable performance and recent improvements in his career suggest that he is a valuable asset to any team.