Evan Bouchard

Bouchard enjoyed a breakout performance in 2023-24, compiling 18 goals and 82 points in 81 regular-season games. Only four blueliners scored more goals than him, and he ranked fourth among defensemen in points. He also finished third in power-play points by defenders last season, achieving a personal best of 35. Bouchard also posted career highs in average ice time per game (23:00), plus-minus rating (plus-34), game-winning goals (seven) and shots on goal (220). He added 105 blocked shots and 71 hits for additional category coverage. Entering the 2024-25 campaign, Bouchard should be one of the first blueliners off the board in fantasy drafts. He will quarterback a dangerous Edmonton power play and can help managers in several statistical areas.

Bouchard took a small step back on offense with eight goals and 32 assists in 82 games last year, but he took over as the Oilers' power-play quarterback following Tyson Barrie's trade to Nashville on Feb. 28. With that role locked up full-time going forward, Bouchard has the potential to have a career year, given his heavy shot and strong passing skills. He doesn't block many shots for a defenseman, but he holds his own in the physical categories. Given the Oilers' high-scoring reputation, most fantasy managers won't be sleeping on Bouchard -- he has the highest upside of any Edmonton blueliner in 2023-24.

It took longer than many expected for Bouchard to earn a full-time gig with the Oilers, but he ended up being worth the wait. The former No. 10 overall pick (2018) played in 81 games last year, finishing with a dozen goals and 43 points. Bouchard added 205 shots on goal, 80 hits and 112 blocks for good measure. Edmonton may be better off inserting Bouchard as their No. 1 power-play quarterback in place of Tyson Barrie in 2022-23, but Barrie is signed for two more years with a cap hit of $4.5 million and offers very little from a defensive standpoint, so Edmonton likely won't make that change. Bouchard should be able to generate enough production to be a worthy late-round fantasy pick regardless, but it may be another season or two before the true breakout arrives.

Bouchard was quite clearly one of Edmonton's best six defenders a season ago, but for some reason he played just 14 games with the big club. He did manage five points in that brief span, but the Oilers' decision to not give Bouchard a substantial role is baffling. Oscar Klefbom will likely once again miss the upcoming season with a shoulder issue, but Edmonton doubled down by resigning Tyson Barrie and acquiring Duncan Keith from Chicago. Bouchard seems likely to earn a full-time gig this time around, but he's an offensive defenseman and Barrie has the quarterback role on Edmonton's No. 1 power-play unit locked up. Bouchard isn't going to have as much fantasy value as he probably should in 2021-22.

Bouchard spent all of 2019-20 in the minors, recording seven goals and 29 helpers in 54 outings with AHL Bakersfield. The right-shot blueliner's offense isn't in question, but at 21 years old, his overall game still has room for improvement. It'll likely be another year in the minors for Bouchard, who was loaned overseas to start 2020-21 before training camp opens in Edmonton. Dynasty managers will want to hold onto Bouchard -- the 10th overall pick from 2018 is only a year or two away from a full-time NHL gig, likely when Adam Larsson's contract expires at the end of the upcoming season.

Bouchard finished the 2018-19 season with AHL Bakersfield, collecting eight points in eight postseason contests. Prior to making his professional debut, Bouchard, 19, found the scoresheet 53 times in 45 games with the London Knights (OHL). The young blueliner should be ready to make the jump to the NHL in 2019-20 and will likely assume a top-4 role with an Oilers team desperately in need of offensive defensemen. Bouchard's fantasy value will be even more pronounced in dynasty formats considering his age and ceiling. If you're desperate, feel free to use a late draft pick on the youngster, but Bouchard will likely be available after most drafts, so keep that in mind when plotting out your 2019-20 strategy.

Less than a month after being selected 10th overall by the Oilers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Bouchard signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the club. Bouchard lacks the elite skating ability required at the position, but it's something he is working to improve. On the plus side, Bouchard owns a massive shot and possesses NHL-ready size (6-foot-2, 190 lbs) and offensive skills, racking up 87 points -- 25 goals and 62 assists -- over 67 games with OHL London last season. The 18-year-old may require some time in the minors to polish his game, but he could be a useful dynasty piece.