The Edmonton Oilers’ anticipated contract offer for Evan Bouchard has been made public.

In the world of the NHL, managing a team’s salary cap while simultaneously building a competitive roster is a delicate balancing act. For teams like the Edmonton Oilers, who have a superstar duo in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, managing contracts effectively becomes even more important. As the Oilers continue their pursuit of the Stanley Cup, their ability to build around McDavid and Draisaitl—and manage the team’s salary cap—is paramount. One of the most pressing matters facing the Oilers this offseason is the impending contract extension for Evan Bouchard, the young defenseman who has blossomed into a key piece of their roster.

Bouchard, just 23 years old, has developed into one of the most promising defensemen on the Oilers’ roster. His offensive upside, ability to move the puck, and strong presence on the power play have made him a valuable contributor for the Oilers. As Bouchard enters restricted free agency (RFA), the team is faced with the question of how much to offer him in a new contract. With salary cap restrictions in place, determining the right amount for Bouchard’s contract while keeping other priorities in mind is a critical decision for the Oilers.

Recently, reports have surfaced that the Oilers are prepared to extend a contract offer to Bouchard that reflects his development as a key asset for the team, but it also factors in the team’s cap situation and the need to maintain financial flexibility. In this article, we will take a deep dive into what the anticipated contract offer for Bouchard might look like, why it’s important for the Oilers, and how it could shape the team’s future both on and off the ice.

Evan Bouchard’s Value to the Edmonton Oilers

Before delving into the details of the contract offer itself, it’s important to understand why Evan Bouchard has become such a crucial piece for the Oilers. Bouchard’s growth over the past few seasons has been nothing short of impressive. As a 2018 first-round pick, he showed great promise early on, but it’s been in recent seasons that he has truly blossomed into a top-four defenseman and an offensive catalyst from the blue line.

Bouchard is an elite puck mover with an exceptional hockey IQ. He’s proven to be an effective power-play quarterback, with a booming shot from the point and the ability to make precise, accurate passes in transition. In the 2023-2024 season, Bouchard’s offensive production and his ability to drive the play from the back end made him a key contributor to the Oilers’ success. His skills have allowed him to establish himself as one of the top young defensemen in the league.

However, Bouchard’s value to the Oilers is not only in his offensive capabilities. He’s also shown significant improvement in his defensive play. His positioning and defensive awareness have been steadily improving, making him a more complete player. As the Oilers’ blue line continues to evolve, Bouchard’s all-around game will be a cornerstone in the team’s efforts to contend for a Stanley Cup.

Bouchard’s rising profile, especially after his impressive postseason performances, has put him in line for a big contract. The Oilers understand that locking him up to a long-term deal would be a critical move for both the short and long-term future of the franchise. However, this raises the question: what will it take to retain his services?

The Salary Cap Challenge

One of the most significant hurdles for the Edmonton Oilers as they prepare to offer Bouchard a contract extension is the salary cap. As it stands, the Oilers are already operating close to the salary cap ceiling. With significant contracts already on the books for McDavid, Draisaitl, and others like Zach Hyman, Darnell Nurse, and Evander Kane, the Oilers have very little room to maneuver. This makes Bouchard’s upcoming contract a delicate issue.

A big part of the Oilers’ financial challenges revolves around the fact that McDavid and Draisaitl occupy a large portion of the cap space. McDavid’s contract, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $12.5 million, and Draisaitl’s AAV of $8.5 million, create a substantial financial commitment for the team. Add in the contracts of Hyman ($5.5 million AAV), Nurse ($9.25 million AAV), and Kane ($5.125 million AAV), and the Oilers are left with limited room to add new pieces or extend current players.

Given Bouchard’s growing role on the team, it’s anticipated that his next contract will come with a significant raise from his current $863,333 AAV, which was the value of his entry-level contract. However, the Oilers will need to balance this raise with their need for salary cap flexibility, especially since they are likely to want to re-sign other important players in the coming seasons. The front office will have to carefully consider how much cap space they can allocate to Bouchard without compromising the team’s ability to retain other players or address other roster needs.

The Anticipated Contract Offer for Bouchard

Given Bouchard’s value to the Oilers and the need to maintain cap flexibility, several scenarios have been speculated regarding the terms of his next contract. While the exact numbers are not yet finalized, reports suggest that the Oilers are preparing a multi-year contract extension that reflects Bouchard’s potential while also ensuring that the team doesn’t overextend itself financially.

1. The Contract Length: 2-3 Years vs. Long-Term Extension

There are two potential directions the Oilers could take with Bouchard’s contract extension: a bridge deal (2-3 years) or a long-term extension (5-6 years). The choice between these two options will depend on a few factors:

• Bridge Deal: A shorter-term contract (2-3 years) would allow the Oilers to keep Bouchard’s cap hit relatively manageable while maintaining financial flexibility. This would allow the team to reassess Bouchard’s development and performance after a few seasons and provide more cap space for future signings. Bridge deals are often used for young players who are still developing, and they provide the team with an opportunity to get a better sense of the player’s future value before committing to a long-term deal.
• Long-Term Extension: On the other hand, a long-term deal would lock Bouchard in for the next 5-6 years, ensuring that the Oilers have control over one of their most important assets for the foreseeable future. This would likely come with a higher AAV, but it could also provide stability and prevent the Oilers from dealing with a more expensive extension down the road. A long-term extension would also ensure that Bouchard is a central part of the Oilers’ plans moving forward, solidifying their blue line for years to come.

While a long-term deal would be ideal for the Oilers from a stability standpoint, they may lean toward a bridge deal given their current cap situation. This would allow them to keep Bouchard on a manageable contract while giving them some flexibility to add pieces for the short term.

2. Contract Value: What to Expect

As for the value of Bouchard’s contract, it’s expected that the Oilers will offer him a raise from his entry-level deal, with estimates placing his next contract between $4 million and $5 million per year. This is a significant increase, but it’s reflective of his importance to the Oilers and his ability to contribute offensively. Bouchard’s offensive production, particularly on the power play, will make him one of the highest-paid young defensemen in the league once his new contract is signed.

While this value may seem high, it’s important to remember that Bouchard is a key part of the Oilers’ future. His development as a two-way defenseman and power-play quarterback is crucial to the team’s long-term success. Given the Oilers’ limited cap space, a deal in this range would still represent a fair commitment to Bouchard while allowing the team to keep their cap situation in check.

3. Incentives and Performance Bonuses

In addition to the base salary, it’s possible that the Oilers will include performance-based incentives and bonuses in Bouchard’s contract. These could be tied to goals, assists, power-play points, or minutes played. Performance bonuses are often used as a way to give players an opportunity to earn more money based on their performance, while also allowing the team to control costs if the player doesn’t meet certain benchmarks.

This approach would help the Oilers manage their cap while also rewarding Bouchard for his contributions to the team’s success. If Bouchard continues to develop into an elite defenseman, these incentives could push his total earnings beyond the base value of his contract.

What the Bouchard Contract Means for the Oilers

Once Bouchard’s contract is finalized, it will have significant implications for the Oilers’ roster construction and salary cap management moving forward. Here are a few key takeaways:

1. Cap Flexibility: Regardless of whether the Oilers opt for a bridge deal or a long-term extension, Bouchard’s contract will play a key role in their cap management. If they opt for a bridge deal, they’ll have more cap flexibility in the short term, which could help them add players or make moves in future seasons. A long-term deal would lock in Bouchard for the future but would require the Oilers to get creative with their salary cap to fit in other players.
2. Future Roster Moves: With McDavid, Draisaitl, and other key players under long-term contracts, the Oilers will need to balance their roster with cheaper contracts for complementary pieces. Bouchard’s new deal will be one of the higher ones on the team, so the Oilers will need to find ways to balance their salary commitments across the roster.
3. Long-Term Success: Bouchard’s contract extension will signal that the Oilers are committed to building their future around him. His development into a top defenseman is key to the team’s long-term success, and locking him up will ensure that he remains a central piece of their blue line for years to come.

 A Critical Moment for the Oilers

The upcoming contract extension for Evan Bouchard represents a pivotal moment in the Edmonton Oilers’ quest for a Stanley Cup. His growth as a two-way defenseman has been vital to the team’s success, and locking him into a fair and manageable contract will be essential for the Oilers as they try to balance their salary cap while competing at the highest level.

Whether the Oilers choose a bridge deal or a long-term extension, Bouchard’s new contract will have significant ramifications for the team’s cap situation and future roster decisions