OilersNation has reported:

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard has opened the 2026-27 NHL season with 11 points and a plus-10 rating in four games, the best start of his career. He added three more points against the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 8, scoring twice, including the game-winner, and assisting on another goal. His six goals at that point led the NHL.

The start follows a season in which Bouchard led all NHL defencemen with 95 points. It also contrasts with the opening of the 2025-26 campaign, when he had no points and was minus-5 through seven games. He recovered gradually over the course of that season, but was later left off Canada’s Olympic team and was not named a Norris Trophy finalist.

The Norris Trophy is awarded to the defenceman judged to demonstrate the greatest all-around ability at the position. Bouchard’s early-season numbers have again brought attention to the gap between his production and the recognition he has received. The source commentary suggested the earlier omissions could be motivating him, while acknowledging there is no certainty that Bouchard sees them that way or is using them as fuel.

Through his first three games this season, Bouchard had eight points, split evenly between four goals and four assists, placing him second in NHL scoring at the time. He was named the league’s Second Star of the Week. On Oct. 6, however, the NHL Media account posted a graphic asking fans to name their Norris Trophy candidate, and Bouchard was not included.

The following day, Bouchard played 23 minutes and nine seconds against Anaheim. He scored two goals, recorded one assist and put away the game-winner. His sixth goal of the season gave him the NHL lead in goals, and a league social media post highlighted his shot as the Oilers took a one-goal lead.

Baggedmilk, writing about the response to Bouchard’s play, said: “It’s wild to me that there are so many people who haven’t figured out how special this guy is yet. It’s like some people only see the highlights of his mistakes and never bother to spend any time actually watching him play.”

After the game, Oilers coach Mike Babcock praised the defenceman’s start and ability. “There’s no question he should be in the running for the Norris every year; he’s that good,” Babcock said.

Bouchard’s production through four games places him among the strongest early-season performances by a defenceman. Jason Gregor recently noted that only Harry Cameron, in 1917-18, had scored more goals and points through a season’s first four games: Cameron recorded eight goals and 14 points, compared with Bouchard’s 11 points. Bob Stauffer also noted that Bouchard is the first defenceman in NHL history to record at least 10 points and a plus-10 rating through four games.

Bouchard’s shooting percentage is 37.5 per cent, an unusually high figure early in the season. The source commentary said he appears to be shooting from the blue line with more ease than before. His early offence has been accompanied by strong defensive and possession statistics, although four games provide a small sample.

Among NHL defencemen who had played at least 50 minutes, Bouchard’s on-ice expected goals against per 60 minutes was 1.31, the league’s best mark, according to MoneyPuck. His rate of on-ice shot attempts against was 34.13 per 60, third-lowest in the league; only Rasmus Dahlin, at 33.5, and Shayne Gostisbehere, at 31.15, had lower rates.

The analysis also said Bouchard had not yet made the kind of major giveaways that had appeared in highlight reels in the past, including at the start of the previous season. He had given the puck away five times through four games, the 67th-highest total in the NHL. His underlying five-on-five numbers were also near the top among defencemen with at least 50 minutes played, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Bouchard ranked first in scoring-chances-for percentage, at 77.78 per cent. He ranked third in Corsi, at 69.05 per cent; third in shots-for percentage, at 67.21 per cent; and third in expected-goals-for percentage, at 73.51 per cent. His goal share stood at 11-1.

The morning after the Ducks game, NHL Media posted another Norris Trophy prediction graphic. It featured analysts’ picks and named Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes and Lane Hutson as the three favourites, while again leaving Bouchard off the list. Daily Faceoff Edmonton responded on X with the message, “What are we even doing here anymore?”

The early-season omissions have drawn attention because they followed Bouchard’s league-leading scoring among defencemen last year and his high production in the first four games of this season. The source commentary said it remained unclear what more would be needed for NHL social media accounts to acknowledge him as an early Norris contender. It also argued that his performance could eventually make it difficult to exclude him from the award discussion, whether or not he is concerned with recognition.

Bouchard is from Oakville, Ont. The article carrying the account was presented by Southview Acura, described as a family-owned and operated dealership offering new and certified pre-owned Acuras. The dealership said its service is built on trust and precision and invited customers to visit in person or at SouthviewAcura.com.