Edmonton Oilers not close on contract extension with Evan Bouchard

Bouchard signed a two year bridge deal that expires at the end of next season, where he will still be under team control as a restricted free agent - but he's quickly earned a superstar's contract.

Before this season, Bouchard showed flashes of being an elite offensive defenceman, but last season truly emerged as one of the league's best. His patented slap shots contributed to an 18 goal, 82 point season in 81 games. For a point per game right shot defenceman, Bouchard could easily command over $10M in salary. His rate only went up after scoring 32 points in 25 playoff games too.

The Oilers defence is still an overall weaker point of the team, but Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm specifically prop up the position by being one of the best pairs in the league. When that pairing is on the ice with the McDavid line, their work as a 5-man unit is near unbeatable. It's crucial that the Oilers retain Bouchard, but they'll have to really pay up to do so. The Bouchard side is also not in a rush to begin negotiations, and rightfully so. He's betting he can be even better next year.

This summer will be entirely about re-signing Leon Draisaitl for the Edmonton Oilers, and Connor McDavid will be the obvious priority shortly after. Bouchard is third on the list while still being under team control, but as the cap is expected to jump significantly, it may be best to sign him long term as soon as they can.

Source: Daniel Nugent-Bowman