Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has shot down reports of Evan Bouchard playing through a concussion in the 2026 playoffs.

“No, that is not accurate,” Bowman told the media during Thursday’s availability.

Frank Seravalli reported on Monday that Bouchard had been playing through a concussion following a hit he took in Game 1 of the playoffs.

At the time of the report, Bouchard’s cause of injury was not certain and there was not a specific moment that seemed to warrant the concussion that Seravalli reported. On Oilers Now, Bob Stauffer reported that Bouchard got “belted” in Game 1 of the series.

The NHL has strict rules regarding the handling of concussions, including neutral concussion spotters who can mandate the removal of players from games for evaluation. If Bouchard did have a concussion, the Oilers and the league would be under intense scrutiny for failing to handle a potential brain injury.

Former Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch did not include any insight into injuries on Bouchard at the end of the season. He announced Connor McDavid and Jason Dickinson had played through fractures to their feet, and it was speculated that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played through an undisclosed injury as well.

Bouchard had one goal and seven points in the six-game series, and days after the Oilers’ season ended it was announced that he would join Team Canada in the IIHF World Championship. If he did have a concussion, he would have had to heal quickly to have been approved to play for Canada.

“It’s always an honour when you get the ask,” Bouchard said. “To have hockey over in early May is something that I’m not too familiar with. So to get the call from them to go play? I feel like it was a no-brainer and get a few more games with Team Canada.”

The defenceman had a stellar season this year, setting multiple career highs for himself. He broke previous bests all across the board in goals (21) and assists (74), tallying up to 95 points in the 82-game season.

Bouchard found himself outside of final contention for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, despite his high-octane offence that he provided the Oilers. His totals were better than any other defenceman in the league, with Norris finalist Zach Werenski having the second-most points amongs defencemen with 81.

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