Oilers’ Pundit Bluntly Rips Evan Bouchard Following Tough Game Against Islanders
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard is under fire after a performance against the New York Islanders that many are calling one of the worst of his NHL career. The game, which took place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, saw the Oilers fall to the Islanders 4-2, with Bouchard making mistakes that directly led to two New York goals.
Bouchard, who signed a four-year, $42 million contract extension with the Oilers in June, is facing harsh criticism from analysts and fans alike. The 25-year-old defenseman is currently the fourth-highest paid defenseman in the NHL, carrying a $10.5 million cap hit.
The blunders began late in the first period when Bouchard, with the puck in the neutral zone, had the puck stolen by Islanders forward Mathew Barzal. Barzal then skated in and scored on Stuart Skinner, giving the Islanders a 1-0 lead. Later, in the second period, while the Oilers were on a power play, Bouchard was caught out of position, allowing Bo Horvat to score a shorthanded goal, tying the game 2-2.
Color analyst Ray Ferraro, during the ESPN+ broadcast, did not mince words, stating that Bouchard had played "about as bad a two periods I've seen an NHL player play".
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch also weighed in after the game, saying, "I've seen Evan play better". While acknowledging Bouchard's offensive talent, Knoblauch emphasized the need for accountability. "We cannot just accept that," Knoblauch stated. "Mistakes happen, but you have to address what types of mistakes are happening". Despite the criticism, Knoblauch affirmed that he believes Bouchard is "a fantastic player, one of the best in the league, certainly one of the best defensemen in the NHL".
Bouchard himself took responsibility for his performance. "Just a bad play on my end," he said regarding the first giveaway. About the second costly error, Bouchard explained, "I thought I'd be able to keep it in if [Islanders penalty-killer Jean-Gabriel Pageau] chipped it up the wall. Obviously, he didn't do that". He added, "When it's not going my way, I've got to find a way to make different plays… You learn from it — obviously a lot of learning. Yeah, part of the game is forget good and bad, so move on, be ready next game".
Some have come to Bouchard's defense, pointing to his strong playoff performances. His defense partner, Mattias Ekholm, urged caution in criticizing Bouchard, emphasizing the offensive upside he brings to the team. "I know people can be hard on him for the mistakes, but you've also got to look at the upside of what he brings," Ekholm said. He also noted Bouchard's ability to quickly move past mistakes.
Despite the tough night against the Islanders, Bouchard remains a key part of the Oilers' roster. Throughout 75 career postseason games, Bouchard has tallied 20 goals and 81 points. The team and its fans are hoping he will quickly put this performance behind him and return to form.
