‘I want to be here’: Oilers RFA Evan Bouchard on contract negotiations

A key member of the two-time defending Western Conference champions wants to stay in place, despite his current contract situation.

During the team’s end-of-season media availability on Thursday, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard was asked about any active negotiations between his camp and the team about a new contract. Bouchard admitted that, as the team was grinding through the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he wanted to focus on playing rather than the off-ice noise.

“We tried to not talk about it come playoff time,” Bouchard said. “I love being here, I want to be here. Let’s see where talks go.”

Bouchard is at the end of his latest two-year contract and is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, with arbitration rights. His latest contract, which is a bridge deal, carried a cap hit of $3.9 million.

The 25-year-old has arguably been the Oilers’ best blueliner over the past couple of years, a solid presence on the back end with a booming shot to boot. In 2023-24, Bouchard notched career highs in goals (18), assists (64) and points (82), marking the first, and so far only, time that he’s averaged a point per game during the regular season.

Bouchard followed that up by posting 32 points in the postseason, helping Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 18 years, ultimately losing to the Florida Panthers in a seven-game series.

The Oakville, Ontario native’s production dipped a little this past season, but he still managed to score 67 points in 82 games, adding 23 points in the playoffs as the Oilers made it back to the championship series, losing to the Panthers once again.

Bouchard told the media that, while the back-to-back losses in the final hurt, it’s only going to make winning Lord Stanley’s Cup even more enjoyable.

“Getting to the end two years in a row now and not getting the job done is going to make it even sweeter when we do get it done,” Bouchard said. “The team, the coaching staff, everybody around, the fans … Makes me want to bring a Cup back to Edmonton. You want to reward the fans for all of the times they come out to support us.”

According to CapWages, Edmonton has $8.715 million in cap space next year. They have the key parts of their lineup locked up through next season, but have to make decisions on the likes of Connor Brown, Corey Perry and John Klingberg.

Bouchard has appeared in 347 games for the Oilers during the regular season, scoring 55 goals and 183 assists for 238 points, with a career plus/minus of +57. In 75 postseason games, he’s scored 81 points.