Oilers Planning Defenseman Extension Part of $80 Million Bundle payment salary as they prepare for the season
The Edmonton Oilers have already inked one of their two best players by signing Leon Draisaitl to a monster contract extension. Fellow superstar forward Connor McDavid is most probably the next man in line, but let’s not forget about defenseman Evan Bouchard. Bouchard, who will become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season, is already in talks with the organization regarding a new contract extension.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Oilers are taking a forward-thinking approach in their efforts to extend Bouchard, a key player on their blue line, trying to reach an agreement as soon as possible. “I think Bouchard is going to want to stay because they have a chance to win,” Friedman said on Sportsnet’s Sports Central. “I think (the Oilers) will build their cap and their situation around there again. I think that’s why this will all work out in the long term.” Friedman discussed Bouchard’s situation, emphasizing that the Oilers are aware of the potential cost of keeping Bouchard, along with stars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, and that’s why they are planning nearly a year in advance from the trio reaching free agency.
“(The Oilers) knew going in that there was a chance that it could be $40 million for these three players,” Friedman said. Bouchard, 24, is entering the final season of his two-year deal, which carries a cap hit of $3.9 million. With the defenseman already playing a key role in Edmonton’s power play and having shown enough to believe in his ability to develop into a top-tier blueliner, a pay raise is expected when contract negotiations move forward. Friedman also highlighted the Oilers’ strategic approach to managing the salary cap, noting that the team avoided matching offer sheets for other players this offseason to maintain flexibility.
“They’re long-term planners,” Friedman said. “They didn’t match the offer sheets because they felt that would prevent them from adding players in-season.”
Despite his age and the fact he didn’t play a full season in 2023-24, veteran defenseman Mark Giordano remains a sought-after free agent as he explores his options for the upcoming NHL season. His agent Ritch Winter said Friday on Sportsnet’s Flames Talk, teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres have expressed interest in the 39-year-old. Despite being the NHL’s oldest player last season, Giordano has no plans to retire and is determined to secure another NHL contract.
Giordano has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, contributing nine goals and 45 points in 144 games while averaging 18:14 of ice time per game. However, his role moving forward is expected to be as a bottom-pairing defenseman, given his declining minutes and possession stats. Whichever team signs him is likely only looking for a player who they can put out in certain situations and potentially not for every game. Last season, Giordano recorded his lowest average time-on-ice since the 2008-09 season.
