Oilers To Send Strong Message To Star Defenseman

Through the first 6 games of the Edmonton Oilers season, the team is 1-4-1 and near the bottom of the conference. Despite the poor start defenseman Evan Bouchard is on a torrid offensive pace with 8 points in 6 games.

Bouchard has always been an offensive force but has taken things to another level this season. His career high in points is currently 43 which he will smash if he keeps up even close to his current pace. However, his play at the other end of the rink has almost outweighed all of the good he does offensively.

In those same 6 games where he has 8 points, Bouchard is also a minus 8. This means he is giving up twice as many goals as he produces at 5 on 5. It has always been known that Bouchard is an offensive and power play specialist but at some point, the defense needs to improve.

With the abysmal start, there have been rumors that head coach Jay Woodcroft might want to send a message to his team. Many believe a wakeup call is what this team needs and Bouchard might be the recipient of that punishment. Scratching a star defenseman is not ideal but not unheard of. It would allow him to mentally reset and understand that good offense isn't enough.

It remains to be seen if the Oilers will pull the trigger on this. One thing is for certain the more they struggle early the bigger the hole they have to dig themselves out of.