Prospect Info: 2018 Draft: 1st pick: Evan Bouchard (D) - Sent back to London (11/02/18)

[s7ark]

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[TaroTsujimoto]

Does he have the agility to be a top offensive dman at the NHL level?

 

[ohheyhemsky]

Does he have the agility to be a top offensive dman at the NHL level?

His skating woes seem to be overblown, but I don't think he possesses top end agility. More of a Carlson than a Karlsson.

I think he's going to make his bread and butter on the PP, when he's free from any defensive responsibilities.

 

[Hockey Nightmare]

Heard he won't be playing tonight, nor Mcleod.

 

[Cloned]

Heard he won't be playing tonight, nor Mcleod.

I think they're alternating lineups/players throughout this showcase.

Also:

https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/vi...ard-and-frost-ahead-of-game-vs-sweden~1454850

Not really much new info there, but Button seems to like him.

 

[snipes]

It's just August but defensively Bouchard has looked pretty poor getting walked a couple times and split another time just now.

Not going to read to much into it but it's noticeable enough. He's also gotten no PP time, they've been playing Smith over him.

 

[Digger12]

It's just August but defensively Bouchard has looked pretty poor getting walked a couple times and split another time just now.

Not going to read to much into it but it's noticeable enough. He's also gotten no PP time, they've been playing Smith over him.

Bouchard's had some PP time, he's just not been on the first unit so far this game.

Its' been an ugly hockey game so far, both teams have been sloppy as heck. Agreed about Bouchard's lack of defensive quality though, he's been walked at least twice...but he's also shown really good intelligence with the puck, making smart quick passes to get the puck moving up the ice. I still think he looks a lot like a young Dougie Hamilton with his combination of good size, offensive smarts, heavy shot and tepid defensive effort.

MacLeod's playing too, but he's been barely noticeable. He can definitely skate well, not sure how much hockey smarts he has though. He seems like a bit of a spaz out there lol in the little bits I've seen him on screen.

 

[snipes]

Bouchard's had some PP time, he's just not been on the first unit so far this game.

Its' been an ugly hockey game so far, both teams have been sloppy as heck. Agreed about Bouchard's lack of defensive quality though, he's been walked at least twice...but he's also shown really good intelligence with the puck, making smart quick passes to get the puck moving up the ice. I still think he looks a lot like a young Dougie Hamilton with his combination of good size, offensive smarts, heavy shot and tepid defensive effort.

MacLeod's playing too, but he's been barely noticeable. He can definitely skate well, not sure how much hockey smarts he has though. He seems like a bit of a spaz out there lol in the little bits I've seen him on screen.

He's got a few seconds but nothing substantive on the PP.

Few really nice passes and reads but some yikes moment when players are coming at him on the rush.

Pretty terrible game overall. At least we just scored!

Edit: looks like he just turned it over. Man comparing his play to what we saw from Dobson yesterday to Bouchards play is hard to watch. It's just summer hockey but still.

 

[Stud Muffin]

Needs some work on defending the rush and keeping his feet moving. His skating is more then fine when he’s moving.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Imo we can't really judge Bouchard too much this game as both teams look really damn sloppy.

Also for PP time, they have Bouchard on the top pairing and Smith on the 3rd with a PP push.

These summer showcases are fun summer games where you often see the long shot guys excelling cause it's them trying to make the team and the more of a lock guys not playing as well.

 

[rambo97]

Bouchard will be fine. He just needs more development time working on his defensive game and working on his angles and spacing. Continued work on his skating will also do him wonders as the game will only get faster at the higher levels.

At worst I see him as a Justin Faulk type dman. If he gets faster and improves his defensive side tremendously then the sky is the limit. Not sure if he will get there. That will be on him and the Oilers developing him properly.

As for Dobson. I was on record saying he was the #3 prospect for me (Dahlin and Svech were the only ones ahead) and said on draft day on these boards that I couldn’t lie and was disappointed we passed on Dobson. That kid is a stud and is a lock to at worst be a #4 dmen but has #1 written all over him.

As an Oiler fan all I can do is hope Bouchard develops his weaknesses in his game. If he does then he can surpass Dobson as Bouchards offensive IQ is off the charts.

One thing though is we better not rush him. No better way to ruin a prospect by rushing him and ruining his confidence. Chia (and Oiler fans) better look for other options if they are hoping for Bouchard as a #6 PP guy. Bouchard can’t handle the elite forwards junior. He’s going to get killed at the NHL level (even as a bottom pairing PP guy). Send him back

 

[dustrock]

I had it Dahlin/Hughes/Dobson then Smith=Bouchard and then Boqvist (for the Oilers at least).

Hard to get too excited about a summer series where the players are rusty and probably trying not to get hurt.

But yeah, we've seen the good and bad from Bouchard here.

Does he engage defensively? Looks like he has good sense and coverage but not interested in puck battles and got walked a few times.

At the same time, he's an outstanding passer and has a great shot. Oilers haven't had a d-man like him maybe since Souray.

I think Dougie Hamilton is a pretty good ceiling comp for him. The floor I think is probably a Cody Franson.

I suspect he'll go back for sure, but I will be interested in judging his skills at training camp.

 

[Gordian Knot]

It’s August - no matter where you play ice is soft as butter and prospects are in the middle of weight training period of their training programs. If someone is waiting to see light footed guys on the ice, better be prepared for disappointment. Guys who are exceptional skaters like Hughes usually look even better than they are when big guys lose more of their agility and speed. Remember Yamamoto last season compared to bigger guys? When October came, things were more evened out regarding skating. If EB looks slow compared to his peers in middle of October, then he definitely needs more time. Just give him at least this summer to train well and gain more strength.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

yeah, there's nothing to read into these summer showcases...they literally mean nothing in terms of who's better

 

[frag2]

I had it Dahlin/Hughes/Dobson then Smith=Bouchard and then Boqvist (for the Oilers at least).

Hard to get too excited about a summer series where the players are rusty and probably trying not to get hurt.

But yeah, we've seen the good and bad from Bouchard here.

Does he engage defensively? Looks like he has good sense and coverage but not interested in puck battles and got walked a few times.

At the same time, he's an outstanding passer and has a great shot. Oilers haven't had a d-man like him maybe since Souray.

I think Dougie Hamilton is a pretty good ceiling comp for him. The floor I think is probably a Cody Franson.

I suspect he'll go back for sure, but I will be interested in judging his skills at training camp.

Seems like Bouchard is also like Burns-
Excitement at both ends of the ice

 

[CupofOil]

I know it's just a summer showcase but he was the worst player on the ice by far and this seems to happen with Bouchard a lot. Happened at summer development camp and a poster named "Mike Farkas" posted a long shift by shift video in the prospect thread of a playoff game which outlined some major issues with his ability to defend in space so this isn't an isolated incident.

I don't think it's solely a skating issue, I think it's lack of defensive awareness with poor positioning not taking the right angles, he looks confused at times. His lateral movement needs some work also, his movements are stiff.
I'm glad we have Yawney in the fold because we will need a really good coach to work with him. If this is what he looks like in preseason, he has to get sent down regardless of his ability to QB a PP. We want more than a PP specialist from this prospect so they need to be very careful with his development.

 

[McShogun99]

I thought Dobson was the better overall Dman while Bouchard will be the better offensive Dman. I prefer Dobson but Bouchard is exactly what this team needs.

 

[Bank Shot]

I know it's just a summer showcase but he was the worst player on the ice by far and this seems to happen with Bouchard a lot. Happened at summer development camp and a poster named "Mike Farkas" posted a long shift by shift video in the prospect thread of a playoff game which outlined some major issues with his ability to defend in space so this isn't an isolated incident.

He was one of the best players on the ice at the top Prospects game. So I guess you could say Bouchard is inconsistent.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I know it's just a summer showcase but he was the worst player on the ice by far and this seems to happen with Bouchard a lot. Happened at summer development camp and a poster named "Mike Farkas" posted a long shift by shift video in the prospect thread of a playoff game which outlined some major issues with his ability to defend in space so this isn't an isolated incident.

I don't think it's solely a skating issue, I think it's lack of defensive awareness with poor positioning not taking the right angles, he looks confused at times. His lateral movement needs some work also, his movements are stiff.
I'm glad we have Yawney in the fold because we will need a really good coach to work with him. If this is what he looks like in preseason, he has to get sent down regardless of his ability to QB a PP. We want more than a PP specialist from this prospect so they need to be very careful with his development.

Worst player on the ice by far?

I think you are just looking for reasons to dislike him.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Seems like Bouchard is also like Burns-
Excitement at both ends of the ice

This has been my comp for him. We have the potential defensive studs in Larsson and Nurse so we can hopefully have a stud to compliment his weaknesses.

 

[oilynutz]

If he was a superstar offensively and defensively he would not have been available at 10. Defence you can learn. O? Not so much.

 

[Soundwave]

That should pump the breaks on people pencilling him on the roster for opening night though. Kid's defensive game is not ready, he needs to work on it even if it is just in junior + World Juniors. Which is fine. Most players are not ready to be thrown into the NHL at age 18/19, the Oilers need to stop doing that to every other 1st round pick.

 

[CycloneSweep]

This has been my comp for him. We have the potential defensive studs in Larsson and Nurse so we can hopefully have a stud to compliment his weaknesses.

Yep. Their offensive game is wanting but their defense is solid. If Klefbom bounces back, Bouchard can be the offensive guy for Nurse like Klefbom was for Larsson.

Plus Yawney is great coaching the defensive side, I firmly believe he can turn Bouchard into a great defender.

 

[iCanada]

Jesus... dude hasn't even played a rookie camp game and some are trying to run him out of town.

Lol.

Like come on, really?!

 

[SourOil]

So he sucks now?