Oilers' Evan Bouchard Called Out For Multiple Embarrassing Mistakes Against Maple Leafs

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Liam McCormick
November 17, 2024 (9:45)

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Evan Bouchard is usually the Oilers best defenceman, but fans and media are calling him out for a few embarrassing mistakes last night that blew the game for Edmonton.

In the final 7 minutes of the third period, Bouchard made a costly turnover to Matthew Knies, who tied the game for Toronto. Bouchard's pass was deflected by McDavid, but it was a low-percentage pass in a dangerous area of the ice at a critical time in the game. It's a giveaway that simply can't happen.

The Leafs 3-2 goal was an even worse effort from Bouchard. Leafs forward Bobby McMann won the foot race and Bouchard stopped skating, but then picked up the speed again when he thought the puck went the other way. It was a horrible look to see him skate harder after the goal than on the back check.

Evan Bouchard is reportedly asking for over $10M in salary on his next contract, which will be signed this offseason. When fans see plays like this, they have real reservations about a contract that size. Bouchard needs to improve his game quickly.

Both of these goals came partly as a result from poor plays by Evan Bouchard, but Stuart Skinner needs to make some saves as well. On both goals Skinner was caught far out of position, and was beat by a clean shot and a simple deke. His save percentage has dropped to an .877, which is getting close to Jack Campbell's .873 from last season.

Skinner's poor goaltending is probably the real reason behind the criticism directed to Evan Bouchard. He's statistically been the Oilers best defenceman, but a few rare bad giveaways are made worse by the lack of saves. Oilers analyst NHL Sid defended Bouchard by pointing out that Skinner's save percentage when he's on the ice is abysmal.

Just yesterday, Stuart Skinner opened up about the mental struggles that come with poor on-ice results. Skinner admitted that he's been looking to the media for analysis, but was disappointed to see harsh criticism.

When your stats are bad, sometimes you�do�look for outside approval. And then you realize: you don't see it. I'm trying to grow out of that It's easy to look at that stuff, but I'm doing my best not to.
- Stuart Skinner

The Edmonton Oilers have recently begun to dig out of their mediocre start, but they still have a long way to go to o return to the top of the standings and a real Stanley Cup contender. Evan Bouchard can't make these egregious mistakes, but the Oilers also desperately need some goaltending that isn't the worst in the NHL.