Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed on Friday that defenseman Evan Bouchard will definitely be involved in penalty killing duties this season. The team is looking for reliable penalty killers, especially after losing Cody Ceci and Vincent Desharnais from their blue line. While the Oilers still have Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse, there is a need for other defensemen to step up in this role. Brett Kulak is an option, but Bouchard will also be given an opportunity, despite his limited experience in this area last season.
Knoblauch emphasized that being a successful penalty killer requires intelligence and the ability to clear the puck effectively. Bouchard possesses these qualities and can remain calm under pressure, which is crucial in high-stakes situations during penalty kill opportunities. The coach believes that Bouchard’s composure and decision-making under pressure make him a suitable candidate for this role.
As Bouchard takes on this new responsibility, it will be interesting to see how he adapts and how much ice time he will receive for penalty kill situations. Given his already high workload as a defenseman and power play contributor, there is a concern about overusing him in this role. It will be crucial for the Oilers to manage his minutes effectively to avoid potential burnout or injury.
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