Really think people are giving Bouchard a free pass because of age and his limited impact against the cap but he’s been in a top four role for large periods of time and to me if the team is trying to be very competitive slack like that can’t be given to top four d on the team. Need to be judged on equal grounds as the rest. I’d consider his season a huge success if he was on the third pair all year but top four need to be more critical because he’s out there for 20+ minutes in crucial situations. Definitely gets bumped down the list for me. That’s not soo much a knock against him but an honest take to where he is at right now.

I can see why you would have JP Yamo Ceci (or maybe kane but he's barely played) over him, but I'd say he's on par with them, they're all really close. He's been our best offensive dman while getting minimal PP time for most of the season. He could definitely use some defensive work, but he hasn't been terrible defensively, better than Barrie and Keith imo.

L

Bouchard has had more than enough horrendous giveaways in his own zone for me to give a passing grade on the season so far. That’s not to say I think any less of the player but definitely think he’s got a few huge steps to take still before he should be in the top four playing heavy minutes. Keith and ceci are the only ones I’d give a passing mark to based on expectations coming into the year. Keith took awhile to get going but over the past month or two has been great.