I actually don't think this contract is out of line. I think Bouchard is much like Karlsson. That's the issue here. You always pay for points, and Bouchard is a defencemen that can really put them up much like Karlsson can really put them up.
I got into a bit of an argument here last year on what you should draft if you know the outcome of the player at their peak - Do you draft a Chara, or do you draft a Karlsson?
I pick Chara 10/10.
Parekh is looking like a player who will put up a lot of points. I just thank goodness that the org is working with him on encouraging his offence, but also learning how to defend like Hughes and Makar. Those are the ideals for the modern high-scoring defencemen.
Karlsson to me has been absolutely the epitome and ideal of the bottom-pairing d-man that is also your PPQB. No cups. When he wins a Norris, people complain and start saying that there should be a separate award for "Highest scoring defencemen". When Chara wins it with 50pts, everyone says: "Yep, easy choice." When Makar wins by doing both, people say: "Best since Orr".
If the Oilers drafted Parekh, I would say: "probably selected too high in the draft." because I know he wouldn't develop properly there. In Calgary, I bet people will say in a few years: "I can't believe he fell".
Bouchard put up the points to earn that deal. Not his fault. That's the development and environment that Edmonton gave him. Hell of a point producer, and I am sure he always will be. I think he will become the new standard for the bottom pairing PPQB in the league. The guy that produces so well, that you stick him on the top pairing even if he continually makes countless defensive lapses.
Fair contract IMO. Hopefully he continues to be exactly what he is, so that when the cap is much bigger, he will earn himself a much richer contract so we can enjoy more Warrener rants down the road.
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