Evan Bouchard’s start has been loud enough to turn heads around the league, but Mike Babcock is not interested in letting the Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman coast on early success.
After Bouchard piled up two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, he moved to the top of the NHL scoring race for goals with six and sits just behind Connor McDavid with 11 points through four games. He also has a +10 rating, tied for third in the league, which only adds to the sense that he’s driving play at both ends.
Still, Babcock made it clear there’s another level to chase.
“Bouch can be way better,” Babcock told reporters. “He’s got a growth opportunity here… We just got to get him to be a little more competitive defensively, and he’s already working towards that.”
That message lands against the backdrop of a reputation Bouchard has carried for a while. His offense has never really been in question, but his defensive play has been a frequent talking point for people around the league. Early this season, though, that side of his game has not been the problem.
Babcock also made sure to underline how highly he views Bouchard overall.
“There’s no question he should be in the running for the Norris every year, he’s that good,” Babcock said of Bouchard. “He’s an elite player already, way better than people think, but he’s way more competitive and he’s got great pride, and he wants to get better.
“Anytime you want to get better, when you got an elite brain and elite skill, you’re going to get better, so good for him.”
Bouchard led all defensemen in scoring last season with 95 points, yet still did not receive a Norris Trophy nomination. That appears to have fueled him at the start of this year, where he has looked like one of the league’s best players right out of the gate.
Leon Draisaitl was just as impressed after the win, and he leaned into the way Bouchard is viewed outside Edmonton.
“He just makes the right play nearly every time,” Draisaitl told reporters. “His poise with the puck is second to none. Talked about him a lot over the last little bit.
“It’s pretty funny how he’s viewed around the league in my eyes, but people can continue to see it that way and we’ll gladly have him on the ice.”
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