Evan Bouchard's massive contract demand may put the Edmonton Oilers in a difficult position

The right handed defenseman, who has put up 41 goals and 130 assists for 171 points in 265 games, fully broke out into a superstar last season, averaging over a point per game for the first time in his career. He had 18 goals and 64 assists for 82 points in 81 games while logging heavy ice time against the oppositions best players.

On the way to the Stanley Cup final, Bouchard also chipped in 6 goals and 26 assists for 32 points in 25 games.

The rumored contract ask of around $11 million AAV would shoot Bouchard up to the top of the list of highest paid defenseman in the league, but would put the Oilers in a very complicated spot in regards to the salary cap.

As it stands going into the 2025/26 NHL season, the Oilers have just $10.6 million dollars in cap space with other players such as Jeff Skinner, recently acquired Ty Emberson and Corey Perry. If the Oilers choose to give Bouchard the money that he is currently asking for, that would already put the Oilers over the cap for next season.

Source: Evan Bouchard's Rumored Asking Price

Source for Evan Bouchard's Stats: HockeyDB

Source for Edmonton Oilers Cap Space: PuckPedia