Predictions are surfacing regarding Evan Bouchard's contract situation.
The summer of 2023 is poised to be a quiet period for the Edmonton Oilers. While General Manager Ken Holland has executed a few maneuvers, none of them have been significant. He has primarily focused on shedding contracts, such as those of Kailer Yamamoto and Klim Kostin to Detroit, while also securing Connor Brown as an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Consequently, the team remains largely unchanged from the previous season.
However, there remains one contractual matter that demands immediate attention�the situation involving Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard. As fans, media, and league pundits eagerly anticipate the outcome, a few insiders have begun to reveal their predictions for his contract.
The insights of The Athletic's insiders, Shayna Goldman and Ian Mendez, shed light on their perspective regarding a potential Evan Bouchard contract with the Oilers. The urgency to secure his signature is evident, given his exceptional performance last year and the absence of any signs of regression.
Therefore, unless the Oilers take action to alleviate their financial constraints, a bridge deal emerges as the more plausible resolution. According to Evolving-Hockey, this could potentially place his salary in the range of $3-4 million.
As per capfriendly.com, the Oilers presently possess $3.5 million in available cap space. With 13 forwards already under contract for the current year, in addition to both goaltenders, it stands to reason that the team possesses the necessary funds to offer him a reasonable contract, as suggested.
Furthermore, The Athletic reveals that Bouchard's current value transcends expectations and that the Oilers are highly likely to secure his services at a cost significantly below his true worth.
His market value, a figure that seldom aligns with that of an RFA, stands at an average of $10.2 million per year over the next six years. A more realistic estimate, in line with signings of other RFA defensemen of his calibre, hovers around the $8 million mark.
The Oilers are strongly inclined to pursue a bridge deal for Bouchard, enabling them to maintain flexibility in their salary cap until they are compelled to negotiate long-term extensions for both Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl.
Waiting for the anticipated substantial rise in the salary cap, projected to increase by a minimum of $4 million annually over the next several years, is a strategic advantage. Consequently, it appears that Bouchard's tenure as an Oiler will extend over an extensive period.
| POLL | ||
Will Evan Bouchard remain with the Oilers long term? | ||
| Yes | 54 | 75 % |
| No | 18 | 25 % |
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