Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has just reported that the Edmonton Oilers are closing in on a two-year extension with their last remaining RFA, defenseman Evan Bouchard.
It is a bridge contract that will be worth around $3.9MM per season.
Bouchard proved himself as a top-four defenseman last season in Edmonton. He recorded 40 points in all 82 games last season, his second full-time NHL campaign.
He blew fans away in the postseason, despite the Oilers getting eliminated in the Second Round as he led all defensemen in playoff points last season with four goals and 13 assists for 17 points in just 12 games.
While GM Ken Holland pulled off a great deal here with Bouchard, his contract puts the Oilers roughly $400K over the cap with a roster of 22 players, per CapFriendly’s projections.
Fans will get to see some tough competition at training camp in September in order for the Oilers to get down to 21 players and be cap compliant.
But at least, Bouchard is locked in!
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