EDMONTON — Evan Bouchard opened the Oilers’ season by filling the scoresheet like a forward, but Edmonton’s dressing room sees the bigger picture: a 26-year-old defenseman trusted in every situation and pushing to join the Norris Trophy conversation for good.
Key takeaways
- Bouchard scored three times and added two assists in Edmonton’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.
- His five-point opener was the first such performance by an NHL defenseman in a season-opening game.
- He helped the Oilers wipe out a three-goal third-period hole, setting up Vasily Podkolzin’s late power-play equalizer.
- Bouchard placed fourth in last season’s Norris Trophy voting behind Zach Werenski, Cale Makar and Rasmus Dahlin.
- Edmonton hosts the Seattle Kraken on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, with NHLN, Prime Video and KONG carrying the game.
A historic opener and a familiar workload
Bouchard drove Edmonton’s attack from the blue line at Rogers Place, scoring the Oilers’ first two goals before finishing with a third goal and two helpers. He became the first defenseman in League history to record five points in a season opener. The last defenseman to begin a campaign with a hat trick was Mark Howe for the Hartford Whalers in 1980-81.
The Oilers trailed 5-2 before Bouchard’s production helped pull them level. His assist on Podkolzin’s power-play goal came with 43 seconds remaining in regulation and sent the game to overtime, though Vancouver ultimately took the extra point.
Bouchard pointed to the work around the crease after his outburst, crediting Zach Hyman and Podkolzin for creating traffic and winning the battles that make shots from the point dangerous.
The opening night was an emphatic extension of a body of work that has put Bouchard among the NHL’s most productive defensemen. He has 338 regular-season points, with 79 goals and 259 assists, through 431 games. Last season, he produced 21 goals and 74 assists for 95 points in all 82 games.
His playoff record has been just as substantial. Bouchard owns 21 goals and 67 assists in 81 Stanley Cup Playoff games, and he played a major role in Edmonton reaching the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025.
Teammates see a complete defenseman
Leon Draisaitl said Bouchard’s standing inside the Edmonton room has long been higher than his broader reputation around the League. Draisaitl called him exceptional at both ends of the rink and said the defensive details are often missed by people who do not watch him every day.
Connor McDavid made a similar case, noting that Bouchard’s occasional turnovers can draw outsized attention compared with the volume of sound decisions he makes. McDavid highlighted the subtle plays in Bouchard’s own zone as well as the high-end passes and shots that have become staples of his game.
Bouchard has faced criticism earlier in his career over puck management and defensive lapses. McDavid, however, said the Oilers rely on him for major minutes at even strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill. The captain also described Bouchard as a growing leader, saying he looks more assured and settled in his game this season.
That confidence has been recognized within the club. Bouchard was named an alternate captain when training camp opened last month, and he is looking to take another step under new coach Mike Babcock. The 63-year-old coach is known for demanding accountability, an approach Bouchard said he welcomes.
Bouchard said Babcock has not tried to remake his game, but instead has stressed improvement. He said he wants direct coaching and believes Babcock will provide it to him and throughout the roster.
The target is clear as Edmonton begins its remaining 81 games: keep producing offensively while becoming harder to score against when he is on the ice. Bouchard said he expects the offense to follow if he handles the defensive side properly.
He was fourth in last season’s Norris voting, while Werenski won the award ahead of Makar and Dahlin. Bouchard was also omitted from Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where Canada lost the gold-medal game 2-1 in overtime to the United States.
No Oilers defenseman has captured the Norris since Paul Coffey won it in consecutive seasons in 1985 and 1986. Bouchard’s first night of the new campaign gave Edmonton a loud opening argument that the drought could finally have a challenger.
