Could be very tough to justify a 9M contract for Bouchard if he significantly outplays Nurse this year which is not unlikely.

Oh you’re way off on Bouchard it’s more like 12 million

Not unlikely but at the same time, Bouchard is still a pretty one dimensional defenseman, and will likely only get PP2 time with Barrie still being around. Nurse is by far still our #1 with his minute munching, and solid defensive play against the hardest competition in the league, if he plays at the rate we think he will, 9M is more than fair for a #2

Id give that man a trillion

I don't disagree with that, I have a soft spot for Bouchard as I think he's a D man every team in the league could use. I do see a little hope in terms of the coaching staff seeing him as more well rounded this seasons just based on how he's being deployed (66% Dzone Starts) Murray obviously isn't the ideal partner for him, would be nice if the Oilers went out and got him a lock down partner than let him play a little more on the edge. I won't speak on it cause I obviously don't know as much as an Oilers fan would but if you could hand pick a partner for Bouchard, who would it be?

From our current roster, honestly id roll Bouch on the 2nd line with Kulak, Keep the Shutdown pair of Nurse - Ceci, Fire Barrie into the sun, and have a 3rd pair of Nemalainen - Broberg, Puck mover with big, physical shutdown defender, Broberg has said he can play just fine on his off side

This time next year is a different story, would absolutely run Bouch as the 1RD, Kulak - Ceci 2nd line shutdown and Nemo - Broberg as a super solid 3rd pair with Desharnais as the 7th dman

Desharnais is a big shutdown defender who only isnt playing right now as he dealt with an injury from training camp, I think we could have very well seen barrie dumped and him on the 3rd pair if he was able to play preseason

I'd like to see a LOT more offense from McLeod before contemplating an 8 year deal, let alone a $36M 8 year deal.

I think Bouchard gets the Dobson deal - 3 x $4M. That takes him through the McDavid contract and gives Holland the maximum possible cap flexibility in order to bring in more skill for the next 3 years. Beat chance to win a Cup is in that window, best to make the most of it.

I like the idea of not signing many crazy contracts during the current McDrai window but at the same time, we don't want Bouchard to go crazy and start asking for like 11Mil

Sure, but he'd have to improve a lot to get there. I mean, you're suggesting paying him as much as Makar - how is that justifiable? I don't see an $11M ask happening and if it does, it'll be for two reasons: (a) Bouchard will be a top-5 defenseman in the league AND (b) the cap will be over $90M. I like the odds.