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Bouchard admits he hasn't been playing hard enough for Edmonton Oilers this season

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Oct 31 2025, 4:40 pm
Bouchard admits he hasn't been playing hard enough for Edmonton Oilers this season
Stephen Brashear/Imagn Images

Though it’s technically their best start over the past three seasons, the Edmonton Oilers have been a frustrating bunch in 2025-26.

Despite being up 3-1 over the New York Rangers by the midway point of the second period on Thursday night, the Oilers wound up giving up three unanswered to fall by a 4-3 final in overtime. With the loss, they now sit at 5-4-3 on the season.

Part of the reason for their struggles has been the play of Evan Bouchard. Fresh off a four-year, $42-million extension, the offensively gifted blueliner has just seven points through his first 12 games. While the numbers are disappointing, it’s his untimely giveaways and poor decision-making that have already grown tired.

As we’ve already seen several times this season, a blatant turnover from Bouchard wound up in the Oilers’ net last night, as the 26-year-old had a high-risk pass intercepted in the offensive zone, resulting in a goal from Jonny Brodzinski.

“That’s definitely got to get cleaned up,” Bouchard said of his turnovers. “Playing harder is going to have to be something that I do.”

That wasn’t the only questionable play from Bouchard on the night, either. He had a rough sequence on J.T. Miller’s overtime winner in which he didn’t step in to take the lane from the 32-year-old, who wound up essentially having a partial breakaway to ice it.

“Miller came in with speed, we switched a little late, and it ended up in the net,” Bouchard said.

This type of play for Bouchard has become somewhat repetitive in the regular season, as he doesn’t seem to be able to dominate games like he’s proven capable of in the playoffs. Head coach Kris Knoblauch admitted that it’s been hurting the Oilers in the early going.

“With Evan, sometimes your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness,” Knoblauch said. “You have a great talent of making passes and feeling confident that you can do that, but when it’s not working, it’s costing us with chances against.

“Usually, when turnovers are happening, a lot of times it’s not moving your feet. You’re standing still, making a pass. Very rarely do I see any player, especially Evan, when he’s moving his feet, he’s opening up lanes, then the passes are usually made. When they’re stationary and you’re locked in one spot, it’s a pretty fine line to execute a hard pass.”

Bouchard and the Oilers will have Friday off to rest and reset before looking to get back on track against the Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Place on Saturday.

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