I don't think Bouchard is either. I know it's only rookie camp but seeing the last 2 games the best defender for the Oilers is Logan Day and not to mention he had 30+ in the AHL

Well I think the most ready is lagesson, but the way the commentators talk, all they talk about is how good Bouchard is. Day is a righty which is what we need, competes hard too.

I like Laggesson aswell and put him in my Armchair GM rosters often but I really don't think he'll be on the 23 man roster due to the fact he's a shutdown defender and it looks as though they're seeking some point production. That's why all the talking heads are talking about Bouchard, Jones and Persson mostly.

Yah I guess who gets injured will determine who gets the call up, but who will start is the big question.

Pretty sure Lagesson's even strength production was in the same range as Jones and Bear and Day. He didn't get much PP time last year, so total P/GP would be lower.

I think Lagesson is the most ready too, but he's a lefty and Tippett likes to keep guys on their natural side. So he's blocked a bit by Nurse, Klefbom and Russell.

Bouchard should get at least 40 games in the AHL to start the year IMO. Manson is an excellent coach and can help him prepare for defending at the NHL level.

Just looked at the numbers, and Jones doesn't provide more offense than Lagesson. His extra boxcars come from the power play and lets face it, he won't be getting PP time over Nurse and Klefbom in Edmonton. Even strength numbers in Bakersfield last season:

Bear: 52, 5-15-20 +14 / 0.38 P/GP
Day: 64, 4-19-23 +14 / 0.36
Lagesson: 67, 8-16-24 +25 / 0.36
Jones: 50, 3-13-16 +16 / 0.32

Jones produced the least amount of offense of any of these 4.

Persson was: 50, 2-15-17 +7 / 0.34 P/GP at even strength in the SHL last season, which is a better league than the AHL. Since I'm convinced Bouchard needs at least a 1/2 season in the AHL, I think Persson is the frontrunner for the 6th spot on the Oilers blueline. Lagesson is probably next in line. Not only is he better defensively than Jones, he out-produced him last year too.

What’s not being said by these numbers (in defence of Jones) is that Caleb was playing the right side on that pairing as a LHD. Not sure exactly how much that affects point production rates at even strength but I’d imagine it would be a negative for most players. Skating ability would also come into play. I haven’t seen any Persson footage other than highlights but watching Lagesson & Jones in Bakersfield they look to be close to the same speed.

That is a good point about tippet and you are right, he likes the lefty righty natural pairs

10000% agree, bouchard SHOULD be playing in ahl at least for 40 games, but these announcers make it sound like he is ready

I think Lagesson can play right side as well, but yes Jones certainly can..... But Tippet likes lefty righty combos