D Evan Bouchard - London Knights, OHL (2018, 10th, EDM)

[Zippy316]

That video just seems to be nitpicking to the extreme. I could probably do that same damn video with Karlsson, Subban, and plenty of other guys he is comparable to.

Wasn't Bouchard playing 30+ minutes a night for London most of the year as well?

 

[Michael Farkas]

Erik Karlsson has wonderful hockey sense, so it would be really, really difficult. But I'd definitely watch it.

 

[forty47seven]

He's got Dougie Hamilton hockey sense. Fantastic offensive instincts but prone to egregious defensive plays.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

The appeal with Dobson isn’t his ceiling IMO. I want my Canucks to draft Dobson, but Bouchard definetly has a higher ceiling. Anyways back on topic, the appeal to Dobson is his relatively high ceiling and how safe of a pick he is. I have my doubts he’s going to be a #1 Norris winning defenseman, and I could be wrong. To me he’s more of a high end #2, but he’s a safe bet to become a solid#2. Bouchard has the chance to be a game breaking #1 defenseman. He’s less likely to get there, but there’s a chance. Bouchard would benefit going to a team that knows how to develop young players, which is why I’m more inclined to choosing Dobson, but the pay off drafting Bouchard could be huge, he just has that potential factor where he can put a team on his back, and carry them to victory.

I think Dobson has more #1 potential than any D other than Dahlin; then Hughes; then Bouchard. Not taking anything away from Bouchard's CHL success

 

[derriko]

I think Dobson has more #1 potential than any D other than Dahlin; then Hughes; then Bouchard. Not taking anything away from Bouchard's CHL success

I tend to agree due to Dobson’s all around game. I want my #1 to be able to PK, PP, and munch any minute needed. I don’t think he reaches elite #1 like Ryan Suter / Pietrangelo was / is, but the potential is there.

Hughes and Bouchard I see ultimately being #2’s, but with a chance at that #1 label. For a guy that’s not great defensively, a #1 has to be absolutely elite in their best attribute imo. I think Bouchard and Hughes both have 60-70 point potential and the chance to be that guy, with decent defense but overpowering offense. A guy you game plan around.

But they are about as likely to reach that as Dobson does.

I think it’s super close as I change my preference everyday, but I see (most likely scenario in my opinion) that Bouchard is a #2 50-60 point guy, Hughes maybe slightly less points but a much greater ability to carry the puck, and Dobson to be an all around #3 who puts up 35-40 points.

I can’t choose. Are the Knights supposed to be better next year? I would be super interested seeing Bouchard in a better, deeper core to see if that solves a lot of his issues people rag on him about. Playing less, I wonder if the intensity and defense effort doesn’t go up a notch?

If he truly was logging too many minutes to show everything he could do, I think he’s my pick out of the three.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

His slapper looks Souray-esk to me, that alone could make him turn out as one of the best player in this year draft, turning him into a ~20 goals PP specialist. Still have my concerns wether or not the rest of his game will translate at the next level though, particularly due to his limited speed (good but not great), would feel more hopeful if he was battling a little harder.

About the argument on his Dgame, I think he will be just fine, he needs to improve his decision making and physicality, but it will come with time, he showed offensively that he is a smart player, I am not too worry. All in all, I don't think his Dgame will be a strength for him at the next level, but not a liability either.

 

[Starry Knight]

I tend to agree due to Dobson’s all around game. I want my #1 to be able to PK, PP, and munch any minute needed. I don’t think he reaches elite #1 like Ryan Suter / Pietrangelo was / is, but the potential is there.

Hughes and Bouchard I see ultimately being #2’s, but with a chance at that #1 label. For a guy that’s not great defensively, a #1 has to be absolutely elite in their best attribute imo. I think Bouchard and Hughes both have 60-70 point potential and the chance to be that guy, with decent defense but overpowering offense. A guy you game plan around.

But they are about as likely to reach that as Dobson does.

I think it’s super close as I change my preference everyday, but I see (most likely scenario in my opinion) that Bouchard is a #2 50-60 point guy, Hughes maybe slightly less points but a much greater ability to carry the puck, and Dobson to be an all around #3 who puts up 35-40 points.

I can’t choose. Are the Knights supposed to be better next year? I would be super interested seeing Bouchard in a better, deeper core to see if that solves a lot of his issues people rag on him about. Playing less, I wonder if the intensity and defense effort doesn’t go up a notch?

If he truly was logging too many minutes to show everything he could do, I think he’s my pick out of the three.

We've already seen what Bouchard is capable of when he's not playing 30 minutes a game in the previous year. He was very good defensively in 2016-2017.

 

[derriko]

We've already seen what Bouchard is capable of when he's not playing 30 minutes a game in the previous year. He was very good defensively in 2016-2017.

I didn’t really start following the top end of this draft until about the midway point of this year. I did not think the Senators were going to be in 30th place.

So to put it bluntly, I didn’t even know Bouchard’s name last year.

That’s very positive though.

 

[BigRangy]

2nd defenseman in the draft and 3rd OA on my board.

Very confident in his future success, at least more so than the remainder of the top picks.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Edmonton!

 

[Tom Brady]

Edmonton bound!

 

[t0nedeff]

Lol Bouchard looks like someone just killed his dog.

Derp someone flag this post for trolling

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Great value at #10.

A draft grade of A for the Oilers for getting him here.

 

[snipes]

Great value at #10.

A draft grade of A for the Oilers for getting him here.

Can't wait to see McDavid tee up that massive shot.

Add in his outstanding breakout pass and I'm excited for this one.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Can't wait to see McDavid tee up that massive shot.

Add in his outstanding breakout pass and I'm excited for this one.

High Hockey IQ is what will separate Bouchard from most. He thinks the game on a high level. I can see him coming late and McDavid finding him. I like this pick very much.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Can't wait to see McDavid tee up that massive shot.

Add in his outstanding breakout pass and I'm excited for this one.

High Hockey IQ is what will separate Bouchard from most. He thinks the game on a high level. I can see him coming late and McDavid finding him. I like this pick very much.

 

[voxel]

Oilers need his breakout pass. Being RH also helps massively.

 

[McShogun99]

I'm still torn between Bouchard and Dobson but I didn't think that either would be available at #10.

 

[PWJunior]

Reminds me a lot of Ryan Pulock. I like the fit with Edmonton, this kid will kill on the PP. Needs to work on his skating, just like Pulock did.

 

[yababy]

Joey Keane is my clear #1 among OHL d-men. The only player I have on the same tier as him is Mac Hollowell.

Looks like the experts (whose jobs depend on being correct in assessing talent) disagree with you.
Be interesting to see where Keane ends up being drafted.
You'll either look like an absolute genius or the worst judge of talent on these boards

 

[Critical13]

I hate Edmonton fans on here, but they just got a gift. They made the right choice not taking Dobson or Wahlstrom.

 

[Draiskull]

I hate Edmonton fans on here, but they just got a gift. They made the right choice not taking Dobson or Wahlstrom.

Oilers needed the point shot. Dobson may be a better prospect but Bouchard is what Edmonton needed. NYI has Pulock so they must be happy with Dobson over Bouchard. Win - win for everyone not named Calgary Flames.

 

[Critical13]

Oilers needed the point shot. Dobson may be a better prospect but Bouchard is what Edmonton needed. NYI has Pulock so they must be happy with Dobson over Bouchard. Win - win for everyone not named Calgary Flames.

Dobson actually has a good shot, I think Bouchard is better overall and by quite a bit.

 

[Skolman]

Reminds me a lot of Ryan Pulock. I like the fit with Edmonton, this kid will kill on the PP. Needs to work on his skating, just like Pulock did.

Pulock wasn't at Bouchards level in junior

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

Having this kid on a PP with McDavid and Draisaitl is going to be insane.