Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard appears disinterested during their game against the Vegas Golden Knights as Jack Eichel skates past him without opposition to score the opening goal.
The play began in the neutral zone where the Oilers look disorganized to which Golden Knights Jack Eichel found the puck and made a beeline straight into the Oilers zone. He had a clear break away to the net, where Bouchard appeared disengaged and barely moving his feet trying to block the shot or help his partner as Eichel scored the opening goal of the game.
This season has not gone as well for Bouchard as many had hoped. Last season he had a breakout year with monumental numbers after playing 81 games, scoring 18 goals with 64 assists for 82 points and was a + 34 with 32 penalty minutes. Though this season is still early, through 13 games he's scored three goals with four assists for seven points and as a + 6 with two penalty minutes.
Aside defending, his offense has dried up and it appears that he is heading for a record shot attempt blocked stat. Currently he holds 51 of these which is on pace for 321 which would not bode well for his numbers offensively and especially in a contract year. There have been rumors for many months of what number he would be looking for at an 8-year deal and many feel that it will be around $11 million per season.
But with his poor start, it's likely this could lower his number as last year could be a one-off year and help the Oilers save some money on their cap. After all it is a long season, and anything can change within a week to which he could become an offensive juggernaut again.
