Insider Trading’s Pierre Lebrun says Evan Bouchard’s name is popping up again on Team Canada’s Olympic team radar. After a solid run of highly productive games, Bouchard appears to have gotten over his early-season jitters, and the high-end defender people know he can be has taken over the conversation.
LeBrun reported that he thinks it will be between Bouchard and New York Islanders superstar rookie blueliner Matthew Schaefer for the 8D spot.
It’s unclear which player Team Canada is leaning toward, but the decision is expected to be made soon after the team is announced on New Year’s Eve.
Related: Matthew Schaefer should be on Canada’s Olympic roster
Bouchard is a polarizing option. His highs are extremely high. When he is playing, he is arguably one of the better offensive defensemen in the NHL and can quarterback a power play as well as any defenseman in the league. He has good chemistry with Connor McDavid and his defensive play can be underrated. However, when he hits rock bottom and plays poorly, his lows are extremely low.
For example, in a recent game against the Buffalo Sabers, he inexplicably coughed up the puck while trying to get in front of his own goalie. At that point, Bouchard’s Team Canada chances seemed to be on life support, and that giveaway might have been the final straw. He turned it around. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke after the game about Bouchard’s second-period giveaway to Tage Thompson, saying, “He knows he made a mistake.”
The next few games are important for Bouchard
Bouchard has 16 points in his last 11 games. The Oilers are starting to rack up points and move up in the standings. If he can continue to shine in the coming games, he will give himself a legitimate opportunity with Team Canada. If he has high-profile giveaways — which he sometimes does — that could be enough noise to seal his fate and leave him off the team.
There’s a fine line between putting someone with dynamic offensive ability on the roster, but if Team Canada isn’t comfortable with the mistakes that will inevitably happen, they may choose to go in a different direction.
The fact that he’s going up against a rookie could give him an edge. Bouchard’s large numbers are otherworldly. If this were a playoff game, he’d be a shoo-in.
Next: Trade Pitch brings Laurent Brossoit back to Edmonton
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