- Mike Babcock admitted Evan Bouchard has surprised him through four games
- The Oilers coach still thinks his top defenseman “can be way better”
- Read below for the video of Babcock’s full postgame presser
Mike Babcock didn’t see this coming from Evan Bouchard.
The Oilers coach was asked after Wednesday’s 5-2 comeback win over the Ducks what looks different about Bouchard now that he’s watching him from behind the bench every night. “Well, I didn’t know he was this good, this talented, saw this many plays, moved the puck as good as he does,” Babcock said.
Watch Babcock’s full postgame presser, with the Bouchard question starting around the 1:45 mark:
Babcock didn’t stop at the compliment. He made it clear in the same answer that he thinks there’s another level to Bouchard’s game.
“I’ve talked a lot to Bouch about it. Bouch can be way better,” Babcock said. “He’s got a growth opportunity here. There’s no question he should be in the running for the Norris every year. He’s that good. We’ve just got to get him to be a little more competitive defensively, and he’s already working towards that, and then he’ll be right at the front of that group.”
Bouchard had two goals and an assist against Anaheim, and both goals came in a five-goal second period that erased a 2-0 deficit. He now leads the NHL with six goals and has 11 points through four games, one back of Connor McDavid for the league lead.
Here’s the slapper that put Edmonton in front:
Detroit came up too. Babcock was asked whether there’s anything from coaching Nicklas Lidstrom in Detroit that he can pass along. He pointed out that Lidstrom won seven Norris Trophies and “did everything perfect,” then laughed off the comparison.
“I don’t think we want to go there,” Babcock said. “I think what we want to do, though, is say Bouch has an opportunity. He’s an elite player already, way better than people think.”
Leon Draisaitl had his own take on how Bouchard gets talked about around the league. He was asked how Bouchard makes the players around him better.
“He just makes the right play nearly every time,” Draisaitl said. “His poise with the puck is just second to none. It’s pretty funny how he’s viewed around the league in my eyes, but people can continue to see it that way, and we’ll gladly have him on the ice.”
Norris voting has been the sore spot. Bouchard led every NHL defenseman with 95 points last season and still finished fourth in the voting, outside the finalist group. He’s finished top five twice without ever being a finalist.
He’s in the second year of a four-year deal carrying a $10.5 million cap hit. If he keeps this pace and tightens up his own end the way Babcock wants, the Norris snub talk could flip in a hurry.
