After coming within only a couple of wins of a Stanley Cup victory, the Edmonton Oilers had to face some significant roster decisions this summer. But they got the biggest one out of the way Monday with the re-signing of star defenseman Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42-million contract that carries an average annual value of $10.5 million.
The deal makes the 25-year-old Bouchard the highest-paid blueliner on the Oilers, surpassing the $9.25-million per-season contract for veteran Darnell Nurse. Bouchard’s regular-season numbers dropped off somewhat this past year, going from 64 assists and 82 points in 2023-24 to 53 assists and 67 points in 2024-25. But Bouchard roared back in a major way in the 2025 playoffs, posting seven goals – a career best – and 23 points in 22 post-season games.
Bouchard’s tremendous instincts on offense are the primary reason he got a gigantic raise on the $3.9 million he earned in each of the previous two seasons. At his best, Bouchard is one of the NHL’s premier offensive blueline powerhouses, and although he may never be a D-man who can shut down opponents with stellar defensive play, the Oilers don’t need that from Bouchard. So long as he continues to improve – and let’s be honest, he’s still not close to his prime – Edmonton will happily pay him big bucks to remain an Oiler.
At the end of his new contract, Bouchard will still be only 29 years old. And by that point in time, if all goes well and the salary cap ceiling continues to rise exponentially, Bouchard’s next contract could be even more lucrative. But for the moment, at least, he’s arrived at a contract extension that the Oilers can afford, and that makes him content to stay in Edmonton.
In the end, there was never any real threat that Bouchard, who would’ve been an RFA if he hadn’t signed his extension, would be offer-sheeted and join a new team. One of the reasons Edmonton traded veteran winger Evander Kane last week was to free up more cap room and more money for Bouchard. And when it comes down to it, Bouchard’s value was far greater to the Oilers than Kane’s was. And that’s why Kane is now an ex-Oiler and why Bouchard will be in Edmonton for the foreseeable future.
There are precious few NHL defensemen who can do the things on offense that Bouchard can do. Those skills are the reason why Bouchard got a nearly $7-million raise. And Oilers fans are thrilled to see him locked up until the summer of 2029.
Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.