The Edmonton Oilers Just Made a U-Turn to Sign Top Defenseman on a Long Term Deal…
Following Leon Draisaitl’s eight-year contract extension, Bouchard, coming off a stellar season with 82 points and an impressive playoff run, is now entering the final season of a two-year bridge deal worth $3.9 million annually. Bouchard’s next contract is expected to exceed $10 million per year, placing him among the league’s highest-paid defensemen.
A long-term deal for Bouchard would have been easier if the Oilers had managed their salary cap better. The team’s decision to sign goaltender Jack Campbell to a costly five-year contract, which was later bought out, and Darnell Nurse’s inflated $74 million deal, have strained their financial flexibility. Nurse, who might have been more appropriately paid around $6 million annually, is instead earning in the same range as elite defensemen, limiting the Oilers’ ability to sign and trade players.
The Oilers have a history of poor cap management, and Bouchard’s contract situation is the latest example. While a short-term deal was necessary due to cap limitations, a long-term contract similar to Draisaitl’s first extension would have been more beneficial. Draisaitl’s deal, initially seen as an overpay, has proven to be one of the best in the league as he continues to perform at an elite level.
By following the same path they took with Nurse, giving Bouchard a bridge deal instead of a long-term one, the Oilers could face similar issues. While Bouchard is more talented offensively than Nurse, he’s only had one standout season so far. Had the Oilers signed him long-term in 2022, his annual salary might have been between $7 and $8.5 million, a much more manageable figure than the $10 million-plus he’s likely to command now.
Bouchard is essential to the Oilers’ defense and will receive a substantial pay raise soon. However, the Oilers missed an opportunity to secure him at a more team-friendly rate, which could have given them more financial flexibility in the future. The team now hopes that the salary cap rises enough to keep their star players while still maintaining a competitive roster.
