watchman wrote on Tue, 04 February 2025 20:45

PlusOne wrote on Tue, 04 February 2025 19:23 watchman wrote on Tue, 04 February 2025 20:21 PlusOne wrote on Tue, 04 February 2025 19:12 If the media, and some fans, drive Bouchard out of Edmonton I'm going to be livid. The guy makes a couple mistakes but he does things one the ice that MAYBE ten other defenceman in the league can do. The ratio of good to bad is worth every time and I can't believe that some think he is the problem. I can ignore a couple defensive gaffes to gain the dozen or so special plays he makes per game. ...the only way Bouch will be gone is if he thinks he's worth more than Nurse. Depends on what you mean by worth more. Worth more than what Nurse is paid, no but close. Worth more than what market value is for Nurse, yes. I am not one who hates Nurse but he is overpaid. Bouchard is a rare talent, the puck moving, offensive RHD that every team wishes they had. Bouch has regressed from last year. Less physical in his own zone. Zero goals on the PP. Anyone can do that. His defensive lapses usually result in one or two zone breakaways. ...he's certainly a polarizing player. I guess he's certainly not horrible, but I can think of 4 other D on the team I would want defending late in a 1 goal game. Maybe 5, but I haven't seen Klingberg enough.

A GDT might not be the place for this debate but this game is a bit boring...
This is exactly what I am talking about when it comes to fans. I am not saying you are running him out of town but some of these takes are crazy.
You are cherry picking a few things and not looking at an overall player.
All stats are 5V5
15th in the league in TOI (seems the team trusts him more than you)
GF , 52, 4th overall, exactly 1/G, one out of a tie for 1st (elite pushing the offence)
GA, 36, tough to measure place but inline with most around his time played. IE Quinn Hughes has 34
GF%. A list often dominated by defensive defenceman, Bouchard is 14th

PP- I wont get into stats as they can be countered with "but McDavid and Drai" but if you dont see him as an elite PP QB I cant convince you.

If you want to pick fancier stats him and Ekholm are elite in most if not all of those. Sure, you could argue that Ekholm is carrying him but I believe that Bouchards defensive improvements this year are being underappreciated and have helped make that pairing become and elite first pairing.

As far as the opinion that you would 4 D above Bouchard when defending a one goal lead. Nurse leads the team in TOI while leading at ~363 mins. Bouch is at 357. You are underselling his ability to play with the lead and be trusted to do it.

I have also cherry picked a few stats but through almost any lens he looks like an elite RHD.

I can see why his mistakes stick out but overlooking his abilities and importance to the team is an error I hope the teams management doesnt share with you.
I am defensive of him as I am seeing more chatter online and from quotes I see from the media about how he is replaceable or how the team shouldnt pay him. If the team lets him walk/trades him, the only bigger hole that could be created would be losing one of Drai/McDavid.

PS. I am still going to give it a few games but Klingberg looks ok but he wont be challenging for top 3D minutes anytime soon. He is miles below Nurse, Bouchard and Ekholm

Survivor LX(I) and 67 Champ(i)on

CrusaderPi wrote on Thu, 30 January 2020 12:21

und(i)sputed O.L.F.N Heavybra(i)n Champ(i)on of the Woooooooooooooooooorld. Plus. One.