“Bouchard’s net impact continues to be divisive,” Pidutti wrote. “It shouldn’t be. The 25-year-old is worthy of his first turn in the top five. Bouchard’s aggressive style creates the odd memorable error. Visually, we often prefer ‘safe’ defensemen. But they quietly create turnovers the old-fashioned way – by rifling pucks off the glass or firing grenades in forwards’ skates. With Bouchard on the ice, the play overwhelmingly tilts in Edmonton’s favor. Counting the playoffs, he’s plus-68 with 204 points in his last 210 games. The contributions of dynamic players of his unique archetype remain undervalued.”