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Oilers' Bouchard joins elite company after another multi-point outing

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Nov 6 2026, 5:36 pm
Oilers' Bouchard joins elite company after another multi-point outing
Perry Nelson/Imagn Images

It’s early in the season, but at this point, Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard is the runaway favourite for the Norris Trophy.

The Oilers have gotten off to a strong start in this 2026-27 season with an 11-3-3 record, and the play of their 25-year-old defenceman is a massive reason why.

Though it came in a losing effort, Bouchard had yet another multi-point outing on Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks. It marked his third consecutive multi-point game and continued what is now a five-game point streak. Even more ridiculous, it also gave him 30 points through the opening 17 games of the season.

Oilers-Bouchard (2)

Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images

This isn’t just coming on the power play, either. In fact, Bouchard’s assist in Thursday’s loss was his 20th even-strength point of the season, something he is now just the second defenceman in NHL history to accomplish.

Since the modern era (1943-44), the only other defenceman to have 20 even-strength points through 17 games or fewer is the best of all time, Bobby Orr. He accomplished the feat in 13 games during the 1974-75 season, while hitting the mark in 17 games in 1971-72, 1972-73, and 1973-74.

Bouchard, who is also already up to 10 goals, is currently on pace for 48 goals and 145 points this season. Those numbers will certainly cool off as the season goes on, but it further goes to show just how elite he has been for the Oilers early on in the 2026-27 campaign.

After finishing fourth in Norris Trophy voting a season ago, it’s starting to look like Bouchard could become the first Oilers defenceman to win the prestigious award since Paul Coffey back in 1985-86.

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