The Edmonton Oilers are actively searching for the ideal defensive partner to play alongside top blueliner Evan Bouchard, sportsnet.ca reported. Associate coach D.J. Smith bears the responsibility of balancing ice time wisely while making sure Edmonton’s top forwards get rapid, crisp puck feeds.
Every team’s got star players,
said D.J. Smith, the associate coach in charge of Edmonton defensive corps. Now, our star players are some of the league’s best — if not the best — but it doesn’t change. The top players want the puck.
Smith’s coaching journey includes a stint as an assistant to Mike Babcock with the Toronto Maple Leafs, a five-year tenure leading Ottawa as head coach, and a couple of seasons working with the Los Angeles Kings.
Edmonton Oilers Search for the Ideal Defensive Partner
A high-calibre outlet pass acts as essential support for the team’s top players.
Smith points out that star players across the league demand quick puck movement.
Evan Bouchard Handles Heavy Minutes on the Top Pair
Evan Bouchard currently anchors the right side, logging 54 minutes alongside McDavid across three games. sportsnet.ca noted that Bouchard has averaged 25:41 of ice time per game, including 20:09 at even strength.
Smith indicated that Bouchard can effortlessly handle upwards of 27 minutes. However, the coaching staff wants to avoid overworking just two players while the rest of the defensive corps watches from the bench. Bouch is a guy that can effortlessly play 27 minutes,
Smith said, and a lot of his minutes are in the O-zone and on the power play. They’re not heavy-lifting minutes. But you can’t have two guys play all the minutes and the other four watch, that’s not what we came here (for). We came here to build a team.
Managing Mattias Ekholm and the Defensive Workload
To keep Ekholm fresh, Smith steals a few shifts throughout the game. To address this, Smith has tested out pairing Ryan Shea and Jake Walman with Bouchard periodically, alongside deploying Ekholm and Connor Murphy for crucial defensive moments late in games. There are probably five shifts a game, maybe more, that goes with Bouch,
Smith explained regarding Ryan Shea. Or Wally gets a shift with Bouch. Or it’s four-on-four and Shea goes with Bouch, and Ecky goes against the top line with Murph.
Smith added: As you as you age in this league, your value is in different areas. Ecky and Murph, you put them out there at the last minute of the game? They’re as hard to score on as anyone in the league. So when you get down the last five minutes, is it Shea and Bouch and Ecky and Murph?
Smith also noted: Lost in this is Walman, who has not started the season like he is part of Smith’s solution.
Modern deployment favors mobility over size alone
Shea has shown an ability to play next to Bouchard, though he lacks the prototypical profile of a traditional No. 2 defenceman. Modern deployment favors mobility over size alone. Smith noted that players must skate well to defend effectively under current NHL standards.
Edmonton Oilers target lighter workload for veteran Mattias Ekholm
What is the primary goal for the Edmonton Oilers’ defence?
The coaching staff aims to find the right partner for Evan Bouchard while reducing the workload for 36-year-old veteran Mattias Ekholm.
How many minutes does Evan Bouchard average per game?
Through the early stretch of games, Bouchard has averaged 25:41 of ice time per game, including 20:09 at even strength, according to sportsnet.ca.
What is Mattias Ekholm’s contract status?
Ekholm is signed to a three-year contract that pays him $4 million annually, with general manager Stan Bowman seeking to lower his nightly minutes.
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