The Edmonton Oilers secured defenseman Evan Bouchard with a four-year, $42 million contract extension this offseason, but the deal wasn't without its challenges. According to reports, the Carolina Hurricanes were prepared to present Bouchard with an offer sheet, potentially disrupting the Oilers' plans.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported on his "32 Thoughts" podcast that the Hurricanes' interest in Bouchard was serious enough that they explored acquiring their 2026 third-round pick back from the Utah Mammoth. Friedman noted the Hurricanes had significant cap space and draft assets, making them a credible threat to sign Bouchard away from Edmonton. He also believes that Bouchard's eventual contract number was likely inflated due to the pressure applied by Carolina.

The Oilers, having witnessed two of their players, Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, receive offer sheets the previous summer, were keen to avoid a similar situation with Bouchard. An offer sheet from Carolina would have forced Edmonton to either match the offer or lose Bouchard to the Hurricanes in exchange for draft pick compensation.

Once it became apparent that the Hurricanes were serious about pursuing Bouchard, the Oilers moved swiftly to finalize a deal. The resulting four-year, $42 million contract, carrying an average annual value of $10.5 million, ensured that Bouchard would remain in Edmonton through the 2028-29 season.

Friedman believes that without the Hurricanes' pressure, Bouchard's contract might have been closer to $9.5 million per season. The Oilers were essentially compelled to increase their offer to fend off Carolina's interest and retain their key defenseman.

After the Bouchard extension was completed, Carolina shifted their attention to K'Andre Miller of the New York Rangers, ultimately acquiring him in exchange for a conditional first-round pick, a second-round pick, and defenseman Scott Morrow. The Hurricanes then signed Miller to an eight-year, $60 million contract extension.

Bouchard is coming off a strong season where he tallied 14 goals and 53 assists for 67 points in 82 games. He also contributed significantly in the playoffs, recording seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points in 22 games as the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final. His offensive capabilities and importance to the Oilers' defense made him a valuable asset that the team was determined to keep.

By locking up Bouchard, the Oilers avoided the uncertainty and potential disruption of an offer sheet. While the contract may have been richer than initially anticipated, the Oilers secured the services of a key player and ensured stability on their blue line for the foreseeable future. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, demonstrated their willingness to be aggressive in pursuing top talent, ultimately landing Miller after their pursuit of Bouchard fell short.