Evan Bouchard or Luke Hughes

[Lights]

Who do you guys think is the better keeper, points only.

Cheers!

[zambronies]

I think Hughes has the higher curling, but Bouchard has the clearer path to fantasy relevance.

[Bubba55]

I think Hughes has the higher curling, but Bouchard has the clearer path to fantasy relevance.

Fully agree with this. Bouchard is stuck behind Barrie but Barrie is only signed through 23-24, just one more year. Hughes unfortunately, is behind Hamilton who is signed for the next 5 years. It sure looks like Bouchard will finally get his chance considerably sooner than Luke. Injuries or a trade could change this, but you can't base your evaluation on the totally unknown.

[senryu]

I think Hughes has the higher curling, but Bouchard has the clearer path to fantasy relevance.

Agree with this. Hughes' career will probable be better than Bouchard's. But Bouchard is seemingly close to a big step up in production. Hughes has to develop further and needs Hamilton to go elsewhere.

[E63Wagon]

Give me Bouchard for the next 3 seasons. After that give me L. Hughes.

[dejeanneret]

Give me Bouchard for the next 3 seasons. After that give me L. Hughes.

Pretty much where I'm at too.

FWIW - I also harbor some concern with Bouchard that the Oilers look to upgrade from outside the organization. So his being "stuck" behind Barrie ultimately becomes being "stuck" behind _____. Granted, that's so hyper speculative I'm not even sure calling it speculation does it justice. LOL.

[Fighting_Emu]

Luke Hughes for me.

Here's the caveat though. If Bouchard ever "hits" hes probably top 5 by virtue of being on that powerplay and his propensity for shooting.

In a bubble Hughes is ahead by so much its nutty and his team situation is arguably just as good but it'll take awhile as others have said and hes got real competition...

[Belexus75]

Fully agree with this. Bouchard is stuck behind Barrie but Barrie is only signed through 23-24, just one more year. Hughes unfortunately, is behind Hamilton who is signed for the next 5 years. It sure looks like Bouchard will finally get his chance considerably sooner than Luke. Injuries or a trade could change this, but you can't base your evaluation on the totally unknown.

Someone posted this few days ago on another topic and i fully agreed, i dont think Bouchard is stuck behind Barrie, Bouchard just has not been good enough....he was already taking offensive minutes away from Barrie in 21-22 season but he has struggled this year...it does not mean he wont bounce back , i think he will but im not sure his ceiling is as high as some thought year or 2 ago..i would cap him at a good #2 D with 40-50 points on consistent basis....

I agree on hughes that he will be behind Hamilton and maybe even behind Nemec in pecking order, time will tell...