The Edmonton Oilers came into the season expecting Evan Bouchard to build on last year. For the most part, he has delivered the smooth puck movement and offensive touch that define his game. His presence on the blue line remains central to how Edmonton generates chances.
Yet as the Oilers grind through the first part of the schedule, a louder national conversation has started to form around him. With the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics approaching and early roster projections already circulating, Bouchard’s role in the Team Canada debate has become one of the most discussed topics in Canadian hockey circles.
The discussion shifted sharply this week when a Hall of Fame defenseman decided to weigh in, setting up the key question that now shapes the rest of this story.
Is Evan Bouchard Really Losing Ground in the Team Canada Race?
Team Canada will officially reveal its Olympic roster around Jan. 1, and early projections suggest Bouchard faces a difficult road. Canada’s blue line is expected to rely heavily on the group that captured gold at the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year. That group includes Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Josh Morrissey, Colton Parayko, Drew Doughty, Travis Sanheim, Shea Theodore, and Thomas Harley. Their chemistry, experience, and success together give them a clear advantage.
The pushback against Bouchard’s omission intensified when Chris Pronger offered a direct critique of the Oilers defender. The Hall of Famer wrote that Bouchard has taken a step back and looked less engaged in the defensive zone. When someone with Pronger’s reputation raises concerns, it naturally shapes the conversation, especially with Team Canada preparing to make difficult decisions.
“I am sorry, @jtbourne, but what Oilers team have you been watching this year? We clearly are seeing the game differently. If anything, I feel like he has taken a step back. Money aside, he has been even less engaged in the DZ. Which hurts his transition game,” Pronger wrote on X.
This is not the first time Bouchard’s defensive play has come under scrutiny. He was left off the 4 Nations roster due to similar concerns, and Canada’s success in the tournament did little to strengthen his case. With Makar expected to handle nearly every important power-play shift at the Olympics, Bouchard’s heaviest asset, his powerful point shot, may not carry the same value in this setting.
Bouchard’s offensive production still carries weight. He has three goals and 13 assists in 21 games, placing him among the league’s most productive defensemen. His November results have also been impressive, with nine points in as many games. Edmonton’s trust in him is reflected in his four-year, $42-million contract that includes a $10.5 million cap hit.
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Team Canada’s evaluation process focuses on reliability and limiting risk. Pronger’s comments have intensified questions that already surrounded Bouchard’s game, and the timeline only heightens the pressure. The Olympic tournament begins on Feb. 11, and the gold medal game will take place on Feb. 22, leaving Bouchard with little time to shape a stronger case.
For now, the debate continues to build, and the pressure on Bouchard to show he belongs among one of the deepest defensive groups in international hockey grows with every game he plays.
