Oilers’ Evan Bouchard ranked among NHL’s best defencemen

The top blueliner on the Edmonton Oilers’ roster continues to be recognized as one of the best rearguards in the game.

On Wednesday, Daily Faceoff contributor Paul Pidutti released his list of the top 40 defencemen in the NHL heading into the 2025-26 season. Unsurprisingly, near the top of the list is Evan Bouchard.

The 25-year-old comes up at No. 5, trailing the likes of Adam Fox (New York Rangers), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), and Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), who sits at the top of the board.

Pidutti admits that the jury’s still out on whether Bouchard is an all-around blueliner, but there’s little doubt that he makes an impact whenever No. 2 is on the ice.

“Bouchard’s net impact continues to be divisive,” Pidutti wrote. “It shouldn’t be. The 25-year-old is worthy of his first turn in the top five. Bouchard’s aggressive style creates the odd memorable error. Visually, we often prefer ‘safe’ defensemen. But they quietly create turnovers the old-fashioned way – by rifling pucks off the glass or firing grenades in forwards’ skates. With Bouchard on the ice, the play overwhelmingly tilts in Edmonton’s favor. Counting the playoffs, he’s plus-68 with 204 points in his last 210 games. The contributions of dynamic players of his unique archetype remain undervalued.”

Bouchard’s name has been lower on some other lists, including being ranked 10th on NHL Network’s list of the best blueliners. However, it’s hard to argue with Bouchard’s ability to be a difference-maker. He might’ve come short of reaching the 80-point mark last season, notching 67 points in 82 games, but the Oakville, Ont. native brings a significant presence to the game, both on the power play and at 5-on-5.

His play earned him a four-year contract with an AAV of $10.5 million, making him the fourth-highest-paid defenceman in the NHL. With quite a bit of turnover in Edmonton this past offseason, expectations are going to be high for Bouchard, as many still expect the Oilers to hang near the top of the Pacific Division standings.

In 347 regular-season games in the NHL, Bouchard has registered 55 goals and 183 assists for 238 points, with another 81 points in 75 Stanley Cup Playoff contests.