Blues in 7

I would do that Puljujärvi deal if he wants to leave for sure.

McLeod not ready, may push
Benson not ready, will push
Yamamoto iffy
Bouchard better than most of what we have, but needs to develop properly (1 full year AHL, no ifs, ands, or buts)

Bouchard was good enough to make the team last year. The reason he didn’t was to save a year on his entry level deal and one less player to protect in the next expansion draft. He more than likely will make the team next year if not a guarantee.

Then we're right back to zero player development.
He needs to work on his foot speed, he still has to adjust to playing with men, Bakersfield has a winning culture right now.

Bottomline, Bouchard needs to develop, even over develop down there before we end up ruining what looks to be a possible stud D-man.

I want Evan Bouchard to be the best D-man he could be for the Oilers, not Justin Schultz 2.0 getting wrecked every night and losing confidence.

He was good enough offensively for sure, defensively not so much. He needs more time in Bakersfield for sure... as do McLeod, Yamamoto and probably Benson, too.