Evan Bouchard has joined a list of pretty impressive names. Bobby Orr. Al MacInnis. And now the Edmonton Oilers defenceman.

That’s pretty good company to keep, isn’t it? Bouchard reached 26 points in Edmonton’s first 15 games, becoming just the third defenceman in NHL history to do so. Orr had 30 in 1974-75, while MacInnis finished with 27 in 1990-91. Bouchard is right there with them. And he’s not exactly sneaking up on anybody anymore.

The Oilers Are Starting to Depend Upon Bouchard

But here’s what I find so neat. Bouchard’s production isn’t just another impressive stat on an Oilers team loaded with offensive talent. It might be telling us something about how much Edmonton depends on him.

Last season, Bouchard put up 95 points, including 21 goals and 74 assists. That was a career high, following an 82-point season in 2023-24. Now he’s off to an even faster start. At his current pace, 100 points isn’t out of the question.

Bouchard Is Part of an Elite Offensive Unit

Of course, playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl creates opportunities that most defencemen can only dream about. But someone still has to make the plays, move the puck, find the passing lanes, and deliver the shot. That’s Bouchard’s job, and he’s doing it awfully well.

Another part of this is worth watching. Edmonton is 11-2-2 and has won all seven of its road games. That’s a terrific start, and Bouchard has been right in the middle of it.

The Oilers need more than McDavid magic and Draisaitl scoring nights if they’re going to get where they want to go. They need other players to take some responsibility for making things happen. Bouchard appears ready to do that.

Bouchard Isn’t Yet on a Par with the Greats of All Time, But …

I’m not suggesting we start comparing him with Bobby Orr just yet. That’s a pretty high bar, and 15 games don’t make a career. But there’s something encouraging about watching a defenceman become more than a supporting piece in an already talented lineup.

Maybe that’s the bigger story here. Bouchard isn’t just keeping pace with the greats in the record book. He’s giving Edmonton another reason to believe this team has more than two ways to beat you.

Related: McDavid Is Breaking Gretzky Records Again. Are We Getting Used to It?