Oilers GM Reveals Truth About Unexpected Evan Bouchard Contract Decision

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Jul 3, 2025 - 14:30

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Oilers GM Reveals Truth About Unexpected Evan Bouchard Contract Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

After completing a two-year deal expiring on July 1, the Edmonton Oilers wanted to lock in defenseman Evan Bouchard for the long haul.

However, the blueliner's agent had other plans, and Bouchard, 25, signed a short-term, four-year, $42 million extension with an average annual value of $10.5 million.

Oilers' general manager Stan Bowman opened up on the surprising extension, explaining what the Oilers had in mind and what the franchise offered their key defenseman.

“We certainly were hoping to do an eight-year deal, but that was never really in the cards,” Bowman said. “I guess in the negotiations, an eight-year term was really never in the cards."

#Oilers GM Stan Bowman met with the media this morning to discuss the signing of Andrew Mangiapane, players departing the organization, the coaching staff, the goaltending market & Evan Bouchard's extension.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/SgLuaDFhid— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 2, 2025

Expanding on why the sides couldn't find common ground for signing a deal spanning more than four seasons, Bowman blamed Bouchard's camp.

“I think the agent indicated that that wasn’t something they thought made sense for them,” Bowman said.

The decision by Bochard's agent, however, is understandable and reflects a calculated bet on the rising NHL salary cap, something Bowman himself acknowledged.

“I think it’s really a function of the salary cap and where that’s going,” Bowman said. “We certainly know that over the next three years, it’s going to increase considerably.”

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) awaits the start of play.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Bouchard is coming off a career season, with 67 points in 82 regular-season games and 23 more in 22 playoff appearances. He logged over 23 minutes a night in the regular season and topped 26 minutes in the playoffs.

The Oilers lost their second consecutive finals to the Florida Panthers, but Bouchard believes the team is on the cusp.

“This upcoming year, I’m excited to have a lot of the same guys back,” Bouchard said. “Everyone’s going to be that much hungrier. Everyone knows that. We have what it takes. We just need to give a little bit more.”

With his extension taking him through the 2028-29 season, Bouchard will be eligible to hit unrestricted free agency just as the cap ceiling could be at its highest point in NHL history, still having to turn 30 years old.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.