Edmonton Oilers head coach Dave Tippett referred to as it.
Throughout coaching camp one month in the past, Tippett mentioned defenceman Evan Bouchard can be an “X-factor” on the Oilers’ blue line.
“What I meant by that’s that we would have liked him to step up and take an even bigger position,” Tippett mentioned after apply on Tuesday. “It’s one factor to say it, (however) it’s one other factor to do it. The X-factor was whether or not he’d be capable of do it or not. He’s shifting in the appropriate path in a rush.
“He continues to raise his sport and his minutes go accordingly.”
5 video games in, Bouchard is averaging 20:15 per sport. That’s second amongst Oilers defencemen, trailing solely Darnell Nurse. He’s additionally second to Nurse when it comes to time performed on the penalty kill.
“I feel it takes shopping for in. You actually all need to be on the identical web page,” Bouchard mentioned of being a very good penalty killer. “I actually had no concept what to anticipate. I feel we tried completely different folks at completely different locations.
“Fortunately for me, I form of slot in there and I’m simply joyful to play that position.”
“He’s a wise participant,” Tippett defined. “He reads conditions properly. He picked up our construction very properly.
“He’s prepared to dam pictures — prepared to sacrifice to get the job achieved.”
Bouchard, who turned 22 final week, was drafted tenth general by the Oilers in 2018. He’s by no means had an issue offering offence from the again finish however acknowledged he was going to have to enhance his defensive sport.
“I feel to play on the NHL you have got to have the ability to do each. You possibly can’t simply be an offensive risk. You may have to have the ability to play within the defensive zone,” Bouchard mentioned.
“This 12 months, I’m taking much more satisfaction in enjoying within the d-zone.”
“Everyone is aware of he can transfer the puck and shoot the puck a ton,” Tippett mentioned. “To turn into an on a regular basis, dependable NHL participant, you have got to have the ability to defend.
“He’s are available in and labored on that a part of his sport, each on the ice and off the ice. He’s watched a number of tape with (assistant coach) Jimmy (Playfair).”
These classes began final season. Bouchard performed solely 14 of the Oilers’ 56 regular-season video games. Tippett mentioned Bouchard declined to go to the minors the place he might play extra. He wished to remain within the NHL.
“He mentioned, ‘I’m doing nice proper right here,’” Tippett recalled.
“He thought this was a part of the schooling that he wanted. I feel we’re seeing the advantages of it now.”
The Oilers put their 5-0 report on the road Wednesday night time after they host the Philadelphia Flyers. The Faceoff Show on 630 CHED begins at 6 p.m. The sport is at 8 p.m.
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