The real reason Evan Bouchard was snubbed from Norris Trophy finalists revealed!

Evan Bouchard put together one of the most productive seasons by a defenseman in the NHL this year.

The Edmonton Oilers blue liner finished the season with an incredible 95 points in 82 games, posted a plus-25 rating, and averaged more than 24 minutes of ice time per night. Yet when the Norris Trophy finalists were announced Thursday, Bouchard’s name was nowhere to be found.

Instead, the final group featured Cale Makar, Rasmus Dahlin, and Zach Werenski.

Bouchard admitted afterward that the omission stung.

“When I saw that come out, I was definitely upset a little bit,” he told OverDrive on TSN. “But you can’t really let that bother you.”

Now, a deeper explanation for the snub may have emerged.

According to Eric Cruikshank of The Hockey News, Bouchard continues to battle a growing reputation that may be overshadowing his overall impact. Cruikshank argues that years of highly visible defensive mistakes have created a narrative that Bouchard “cannot defend well,” despite the broader context surrounding Edmonton’s struggles.

One major factor cited was the Oilers’ goaltending. During Bouchard’s 5-on-5 minutes this season, Edmonton goalies reportedly posted a combined .889 save percentage — far lower than the goaltending support received by the Norris finalists, all of whom benefited from numbers above .900.

Cruikshank also suggested Bouchard’s style may work against him publicly. Unlike flashy skaters such as Makar or Dahlin, Bouchard’s offensive impact can appear quieter despite being just as effective statistically.

For many Oilers fans, the omission still feels difficult to justify.

And while the Norris finalists all had elite seasons, the debate surrounding Bouchard’s exclusion likely isn’t going away anytime soon.