The chatter hasn’t stopped since the ink dried on Evan Bouchard’s four-year, $42 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers. One former NHL defenseman can’t believe the Oilers made that bet, and he didn’t hold back on a recent podcast. What’s going on inside Edmonton’s front office, and is this move a bridge to a Cup or just more fuel for the skeptics?
Why Did James Wisniewski Question the Edmonton Oilers’ Deal with Evan Bouchard?
Former NHL blueliner James Wisniewski, who logged 552 games across 11 seasons, sounded off about the Oilers’ decision to sign Evan Bouchard to a big-money extension. On the Empty Netters podcast, Wisniewski praised Bouchard’s offensive talent but wondered if Edmonton put too much faith; and salary cap space; in one player.
According to Wisniewski, shelling out $10.5 million a year for a defenseman whose most significant impact comes from the power play is risky, especially with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl pulling in massive paychecks. He argued that loading up at the top makes building a full roster that can weather a long playoff run harder.
“If you want to win, that’s not the guy that you’re going to sign to go to the next level,” Wisniewski says about Bouchard’s contract.
Wisniewski made clear that his issue wasn’t caused by Bouchard’s skill. Instead, he focused on the potential roster crunch. “I’m not taking credit away from him by being like a really good offensive defenseman,” he said. “But he’s eating up $10.5 million of your salary.”
He even suggested Edmonton could’ve landed a $5 million power-play specialist and paired him with a shutdown guy for less dough. In his eyes, numbers can be padded when stars surround you.
“I’m not dogging on him. I’m talking about the contract for the team. He’s an unbelievable player. I’m just talking about for the team, it’s not good. I’m just saying for the team for money to win, I don’t know if that’s the best,” Wisniewski added.
Adding another layer, Wisniewski thinks Edmonton missed a golden opportunity to move Bouchard when his value peaked after the Stanley Cup Final. Now, he argues, they might not have enough left to re-sign role players. He pointed to Corey Perry as a recent example of a veteran who walked after a strong playoff showing.
That brought up a question on many minds around the league: when is it worth breaking the bank for a defenseman whose offense is mostly on the power play?
How Does Evan Bouchard’s New Oilers Contract Shape the Team’s Future?
In recent years, Evan Bouchard, 24, has become a significant weapon for Edmonton, especially on the man advantage. He scored 23 points in 22 playoff games, quarterbacking the league’s top power play during the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final.
This new deal replaces his previous two-year, $3.9 million AAV contract. Edmonton’s brass rewarded Bouchard’s rise through the system, betting he’ll remain a fixture on special teams for the foreseeable future and justifying the $42 million payday.
Fans are split, but the front office has spoken. Whether this move leads to Stanley Cup parades or second-guessing in the offseason will depend on how the Oilers maneuver the salary cap and figure out the futures of their biggest stars.
