2021 first-rounder Tyler Boucher has managed to stay healthy so far this season but the point production hasn't been there yet at all.
When it comes to being an impact player in the game of hockey, everyone knows that points aren't everything. Whether you're a defenseman or a forward, there are many other critical ways you can contribute to your team.
But if you're a winger who was the tenth overall selection in the NHL Draft, it's expected that you might contribute at least a little secondary scoring, particularly if you're at the American Hockey League (AHL) level.
Unfortunately, over a month into the season, the points just haven't come for Tyler Boucher.
Boucher is one of 12 players who have played in all 12 games so far for the Belleville Senators, and he's the only one still waiting for his first point. In fact, of the 258 AHL forwards who have played 12 games or more, he’s the only one who hasn't gotten onto the scoresheet yet.
It’s well documented that Boucher's career and development have both been affected by an absurd number of injuries. However, his high draft position and the weight of expectations probably haven't helped either. The Senators received heavy criticism for selecting Boucher so early in the 2021 Draft – and that’s how it is in big league sports – but there's no way Boucher, a kid, hasn’t heard and felt that.
Instead of being able to use that as fuel and getting a chance to immediately try to prove people wrong, he spent the next three seasons getting derailed by injuries again and again. As he rehabbed and recovered, he had to incessantly hear descriptions from the outside like “bust” or “disappointment.”
Anyone in his position at his age might begin to doubt themselves and their game. But he's probably doubting his body too, which isn't ideal for a player whose default setting is "wrecking ball mode."
Despite the sluggish start points-wise, Boucher still has some time to work things out. He's still on his entry-level contract for this season and all of next. But the Sens won't wait forever, even at the AHL level.
Right now, they've got Boucher serving on what appears to be fourth-line duty with Oskar Pettersson and Jamieson Rees.
With injuries and high expectations now behind him, maybe a puck will soon bounce in off his pants and get him on the path to becoming a productive AHL player and back in the top nine. Then we can go from there.
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