Sean Maloughney: Oilers vs Flyers (Thoughts on Bouch, Ekholm, Foegele and McLeod)

Even if someone doesn't like Bouchard, and many don't, he is BY FAR the best right dman on the roster. Ceci is a major downgrade so losing Bouchard would be a massive issue due to positional depth alone.

Even if someone doesn't like Bouchard, and many don't, he is BY FAR the best right dman on the roster. Ceci is a major downgrade so losing Bouchard would be a massive issue due to positional depth alone.
- jfkst1

Like I said, Ekholm is our top defenseman.

Like I said, Ekholm is our top defenseman.
- Oildrum

Ignoring the fact that Ekholm plays LD, like I said last time, neither Woodcroft nor Knoblauch play Ekholm as much as Nurse and Bouchard. So you can claim whoever you want is "top" but that is completely meaningless to the coaching staff and league.

Ignoring the fact that Ekholm plays LD, like I said last time, neither Woodcroft nor Knoblauch play Ekholm as much as Nurse and Bouchard. So you can claim whoever you want is "top" but that is completely meaningless to the coaching staff and league.
- jfkst1

Over the last month of the season here are their respective ice times at 5 on 5
Bouchard: 231
Ekholm: 221
Nurse 218

Over the last month of the season here are their respective ice times at 5 on 5
Bouchard: 231
Ekholm: 221
Nurse 218
- freelancer

And total TOI:
Bouchard: 285
Nurse: 270
Ekholm: 258
Either way, Bouchard is unequivocally getting more playing time than Ekholm nullifying any claim that either EDM coach this season had Ekholm as the 1D. And still ignores the fact that Nurse and Ekholm play LD and Bouchard is RD. Bouchard is also lightyears better at ES production compared to any other dman on roster. Making Bouchard that much less replaceable.

https://www.naturalstattr...ines=single&draftteam=ALL

You run Bouchard out of town and everyone will be crying that was have zero offence from the defence. And then also crying that we don't a QB for the powerplay. That kid is some type of talent with the puck on his stick.

My thoughts: If you slide Holloway to the middle with Kane and Ryan, it would be wise to send Hamblin back to the AHL. Have Ryan as 4C and give Raph a nice long look as 3L-RW. Ralph and Kane's size could form into a very nice combo, freeing up some ice for Holloway.

GOG!

And total TOI:
Bouchard: 285
Nurse: 270
Ekholm: 258
Either way, Bouchard is unequivocally getting more playing time than Ekholm nullifying any claim that either EDM coach this season had Ekholm as the 1D. And still ignores the fact that Nurse and Ekholm play LD and Bouchard is RD. Bouchard is also lightyears better at ES production compared to any other dman on roster. Making Bouchard that much less replaceable.

https://www.naturalstattr...ines=single&draftteam=ALL
- jfkst1

Ekholm's ice time overall is less because he started the season injured and didn't play as many minutes during the first 10 games or so.

And total TOI:
Bouchard: 285
Nurse: 270
Ekholm: 258
Either way, Bouchard is unequivocally getting more playing time than Ekholm nullifying any claim that either EDM coach this season had Ekholm as the 1D. And still ignores the fact that Nurse and Ekholm play LD and Bouchard is RD. Bouchard is also lightyears better at ES production compared to any other dman on roster. Making Bouchard that much less replaceable.

https://www.naturalstattr...ines=single&draftteam=ALL
- jfkst1

Pretty sure we are just arguing semantics here. The Bouchard and Ekholm pairing has been the most used 5 on 5 pairing under Knoblauch. The minutes spread out among those three are very close. Ekholm is a top pairing defenseman. Bouchard is playing like a top pairing defenseman and Nurse has actually been playing as such this year as well.

Arguing who is the #1 is a meaningless argument. Edmonton has three very strong options in their top four right now. Ceci is the odd man out.

Oh my god! Are you related to Evan Bouchard or something? lol

Look, he has an absolute rocket of a slapper, and every once in a while he looks okay in the offensive zone (not often), but he's terrible in his own end, terrible in the neutral zone, can't hold the blueline, his outlet passes end up as icings ALL THE TIME, and he can't pivot fast enough to stop fwds from flying by him on the outside. Bouchard is not a top pairing defenseman and he never will be, it's actually very obvious.

The bigger issue I feel though, is that the Oilers (and fans) have to stop doing this. We have to stop making excuses for offensively minded players who do not have a complete 200ft game. Fine, let's give McDavid a pass because he's an offensive genious! but now we give Draisaitl a pass because of his really good offense...and Nuge...and all of the others...because we score a lot? Noone of them backcheck! Like, none of them. Tretiak could be in goal but if he's constantly under the gun and facing high quality shots...they're going to go in.

I feel this story/argument with Bouchard is the same one we've heard, soooooo many times. This team doesn't work hard, they don't concern themselves with defense...and they need to do so to get over the "hump". Who are the leaders? Who are the grinders? Who are the warriors on this team? Who does the other team say "watch out for this guy" before the game?

Probably McDavid, for obvious reasons...and maybe Kane...but that's it. The Oilers are so easy to play against. and Bouchard is the easiest one.

I appreciate your blogs Sean but I think you're way off on Bouchard, he's a nervous Nelly with bad hands, slow feet, poor decisions, and a 95MPH slapper.

Even if someone doesn't like Bouchard, and many don't, he is BY FAR the best right dman on the roster. Ceci is a major downgrade so losing Bouchard would be a massive issue due to positional depth alone.
- jfkst1

This is true. The whole right side needs an upgrade. And if Bouchard is third pairing...we're awesome! (but again...I"m a sell high kind of guy and I think Bouchard is at his ceiling right now, today).

Oh my god! Are you related to Evan Bouchard or something? lol

Look, he has an absolute rocket of a slapper, and every once in a while he looks okay in the offensive zone (not often), but he's terrible in his own end, terrible in the neutral zone, can't hold the blueline, his outlet passes end up as icings ALL THE TIME, and he can't pivot fast enough to stop fwds from flying by him on the outside. Bouchard is not a top pairing defenseman and he never will be, it's actually very obvious.

The bigger issue I feel though, is that the Oilers (and fans) have to stop doing this. We have to stop making excuses for offensively minded players who do not have a complete 200ft game. Fine, let's give McDavid a pass because he's an offensive genious! but now we give Draisaitl a pass because of his really good offense...and Nuge...and all of the others...because we score a lot? Noone of them backcheck! Like, none of them. Tretiak could be in goal but if he's constantly under the gun and facing high quality shots...they're going to go in.

I feel this story/argument with Bouchard is the same one we've heard, soooooo many times. This team doesn't work hard, they don't concern themselves with defense...and they need to do so to get over the "hump". Who are the leaders? Who are the grinders? Who are the warriors on this team? Who does the other team say "watch out for this guy" before the game?

Probably McDavid, for obvious reasons...and maybe Kane...but that's it. The Oilers are so easy to play against. and Bouchard is the easiest one.

I appreciate your blogs Sean but I think you're way off on Bouchard, he's a nervous Nelly with bad hands, slow feet, poor decisions, and a 95MPH slapper.
- JLO961

I don't even know how to respond to......this. Now, I'm not saying that Bouchard should be in any discussions with Makar or Josi or the like, but you have an offensive minded D man that is making less than 4 mil per, is currently over a point a game (even considering the teams poopty start, not just his), is driving play, is leading the team in ice time per game, and you think we should move him now???? For what? Who would you replace him with in the same cap structure? If he was making Karlsson money, or Chabot money, or even worse...Nurse money, then gripe away. Really don't understand the hate.

I don't even know how to respond to......this. Now, I'm not saying that Bouchard should be in any discussions with Makar or Josi or the like, but you have an offensive minded D man that is making less than 4 mil per, is currently over a point a game (even considering the teams poopty start, not just his), is driving play, is leading the team in ice time per game, and you think we should move him now???? For what? Who would you replace him with in the same cap structure? If he was making Karlsson money, or Chabot money, or even worse...Nurse money, then gripe away. Really don't understand the hate.
- Beergu

You are correct in all of these things for right now, short term etc. but I'd consider him as part of a package to get a goalie. I HATE Nurse's contract, but giving that kind of money to a Bouchard re-signing would be idiotic...and frankly it scares me. Asset mgmt says include him in a package deal.

For now though, you're right, but it's short term thinking (which has been the problem of the Oilers for 30yrs).

Oh my god! Are you related to Evan Bouchard or something? lol

Look, he has an absolute rocket of a slapper, and every once in a while he looks okay in the offensive zone (not often), but he's terrible in his own end, terrible in the neutral zone, can't hold the blueline, his outlet passes end up as icings ALL THE TIME, and he can't pivot fast enough to stop fwds from flying by him on the outside. Bouchard is not a top pairing defenseman and he never will be, it's actually very obvious.

The bigger issue I feel though, is that the Oilers (and fans) have to stop doing this. We have to stop making excuses for offensively minded players who do not have a complete 200ft game. Fine, let's give McDavid a pass because he's an offensive genious! but now we give Draisaitl a pass because of his really good offense...and Nuge...and all of the others...because we score a lot? Noone of them backcheck! Like, none of them. Tretiak could be in goal but if he's constantly under the gun and facing high quality shots...they're going to go in.

I feel this story/argument with Bouchard is the same one we've heard, soooooo many times. This team doesn't work hard, they don't concern themselves with defense...and they need to do so to get over the "hump". Who are the leaders? Who are the grinders? Who are the warriors on this team? Who does the other team say "watch out for this guy" before the game?

Probably McDavid, for obvious reasons...and maybe Kane...but that's it. The Oilers are so easy to play against. and Bouchard is the easiest one.

I appreciate your blogs Sean but I think you're way off on Bouchard, he's a nervous Nelly with bad hands, slow feet, poor decisions, and a 95MPH slapper.
- JLO961

K.

Wow, McD gets 5 points with only 16:30 of ice time. Incredible.

Oh my god! Are you related to Evan Bouchard or something? lol

Look, he has an absolute rocket of a slapper, and every once in a while he looks okay in the offensive zone (not often), but he's terrible in his own end, terrible in the neutral zone, can't hold the blueline, his outlet passes end up as icings ALL THE TIME, and he can't pivot fast enough to stop fwds from flying by him on the outside. Bouchard is not a top pairing defenseman and he never will be, it's actually very obvious.

The bigger issue I feel though, is that the Oilers (and fans) have to stop doing this. We have to stop making excuses for offensively minded players who do not have a complete 200ft game. Fine, let's give McDavid a pass because he's an offensive genious! but now we give Draisaitl a pass because of his really good offense...and Nuge...and all of the others...because we score a lot? Noone of them backcheck! Like, none of them. Tretiak could be in goal but if he's constantly under the gun and facing high quality shots...they're going to go in.

I feel this story/argument with Bouchard is the same one we've heard, soooooo many times. This team doesn't work hard, they don't concern themselves with defense...and they need to do so to get over the "hump". Who are the leaders? Who are the grinders? Who are the warriors on this team? Who does the other team say "watch out for this guy" before the game?

Probably McDavid, for obvious reasons...and maybe Kane...but that's it. The Oilers are so easy to play against. and Bouchard is the easiest one.

I appreciate your blogs Sean but I think you're way off on Bouchard, he's a nervous Nelly with bad hands, slow feet, poor decisions, and a 95MPH slapper.
- JLO961

If I read over the opening line that mentions “Bouchard”, you’ve mentioned everything in Nurse’ game.

Who you replacing Bouchard with? We’ve been screaming for a Bouchard type player since our one year with Pronger.

Lubo • ran out of town
Petry • decided to go with Schultz
Schultz • ran out of town, won 2 cups
Barrie • oil fans celebrated that trade
Now Bouchard?

Who’s coming up to replace Bouchard? Broberg wants out. Zero development with him.
Then who’s next?

And please name superstars that play a 200’ game not named Crosby & MacKinnon.

If I read over the opening line that mentions “Bouchard”, you’ve mentioned everything in Nurse’ game.

Who you replacing Bouchard with? We’ve been screaming for a Bouchard type player since our one year with Pronger.

Lubo • ran out of town
Petry • decided to go with Schultz
Schultz • ran out of town, won 2 cups
Barrie • oil fans celebrated that trade
Now Bouchard?

Who’s coming up to replace Bouchard? Broberg wants out. Zero development with him.
Then who’s next?

And please name superstars that play a 200’ game not named Crosby & MacKinnon.
- nanook82

Not that it's my fight at all, but:

Toews
Hossa
Bergeron
Kopitar
Eichel
M. Tkachuk
Kucherov
Point.

Not that it's my fight at all, but:

Toews
Hossa
Bergeron
Kopitar
Eichel
M. Tkachuk
Kucherov
Point.
- Chunk

Great names listed for sure. Toews, Kopitar and Bergeron all drafted as such the 200’ player.

Connor and Leon are one dimensional. The full game just isn’t in their DNA. You can’t put them with defensive wingers, because then they don’t score. Tough predicament.

Kuch & Point were backed by a world class goalie. Not the case in recent memory. Oil don’t have that between the pipes. But it’s also not necessarily required.

The Oil play a loose run and gun style of hockey. Majority of the time it pays off, but it’s very easy to expose.

Anyways, I’ve said enough. Good list though

Holloway activated and sent to Bako.

Wow, McD gets 5 points with only 16:30 of ice time. Incredible.
- Oildrum

Oil are back?