Why 2024-25 Might Be the Final Season Evan Bouchard Is Overlooked in the Norris Trophy Voting Conversation

Evan Bouchard has never asked for the spotlight, but it’s finally starting to find him—and in some ways, it’s overdue. For years, the smooth-skating Edmonton Oilers defenseman has quietly elevated his game, producing on both ends of the ice and anchoring a blue line that has historically struggled to keep pace with the offensive flair of its forwards. But now, in 2024-25, the NHL world is catching up, and it’s time to acknowledge a rising truth: this might be the last season we see Evan Bouchard so low on Norris Trophy ballots.

Through every level of his development, from his days as captain of the London Knights to becoming a mainstay on Edmonton’s top defensive pairing, Bouchard has displayed elite hockey IQ, strong vision, and the kind of poise under pressure that coaches dream of. Still, the early years of his NHL career were more about learning and surviving than thriving. The Oilers had issues defensively, and Bouchard—like many young defensemen thrust into large roles—needed time to adjust.

Now, that adjustment period is long over. Bouchard has come into his own, proving he’s not just a capable NHL defender, but a difference-maker—especially in the postseason. In the 2023 and 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he showcased exactly what Norris-caliber defense looks like when it matters most. Whether it was quarterbacking the league’s most dangerous power play or logging heavy minutes against top lines, Bouchard became a name opponents had to game-plan against.

Part of the Norris Trophy conundrum lies in the criteria itself. Is it awarded to the best defensive defenseman? Or the best offensive defenseman? Or the one with the best overall impact? Bouchard is beginning to check every box. While he was once pigeonholed as a power-play specialist with questionable five-on-five defense, his current play obliterates that narrative. His gap control has improved. He’s become more aggressive and accurate with his stick work. He’s no longer just benefiting from the presence of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl—he’s elevating them too, by ensuring the puck is on their sticks more often than not.

His passing range, particularly from the defensive zone, might be the most underrated skill in his arsenal. Bouchard regularly initiates breakouts with quick, decisive stretch passes, helping Edmonton transition with speed and purpose. These are not just flashy highlights—they’re system-defining moments that shape the way the Oilers play. And he’s doing it while playing 23 to 25 minutes per night against high-end competition.

Another reason Bouchard’s Norris case has taken time to materialize is that, like many young stars in Canadian markets, his development was scrutinized more than appreciated. Fans and media alike demanded instant results in a league where defensemen typically don’t hit their prime until their mid-to-late 20s. Bouchard, still just 25, is trending ahead of schedule, but the patience required to get here has finally paid off.

What separates Bouchard from other young blueliners around the league is his increasing comfort in being “the guy.” On a team with big personalities and elite talent, Bouchard has emerged as a quiet leader, letting his play speak for itself. There’s no flash or gimmick to his approach. Just hockey sense, confidence, and a relentless desire to improve.

Statistically, Bouchard’s output speaks volumes. In the 2023-24 regular season, he was top five among defensemen in points, and he wasn’t doing it with inflated shooting percentages or cherry-picked minutes. He played hard, responsible hockey—earning every point through puck movement, smart pinches, and efficient shot selection. Unlike some Norris hopefuls who benefit from inflated zone starts, Bouchard’s usage is balanced. He takes defensive zone draws. He kills penalties. He leads rushes. And he does it all without sacrificing structure.

Then there’s the playoff performance. In many ways, the postseason is where legends are made, and Bouchard has taken that opportunity to stamp his presence on the biggest stage. During the 2024 run, which could potentially end in a Stanley Cup for the Oilers, Bouchard averaged over a point per game through the first three rounds, all while facing the NHL’s top forwards. Not many defensemen—let alone young ones—can manage that kind of dual responsibility. He did it without looking overwhelmed or even flustered.

Of course, Bouchard still has room to grow, and that’s part of what makes this moment so compelling. He’s not yet the finished product, but he’s already playing at a level that puts him in the same conversation as names like Cale Makar, Adam Fox, and Charlie McAvoy. Give him another full season to refine the defensive details—clearing the front of the net more assertively, engaging in battles with more consistent physicality—and the results could be overwhelming.

The Norris Trophy has long been a reputation award, often favoring those who’ve established themselves in the media’s eye for multiple seasons. It took Victor Hedman and Drew Doughty years of elite play before winning the trophy. Bouchard may be facing a similar timeline, but if his current trend continues, voters won’t be able to ignore him much longer.

Coaches and teammates already know what they have in Bouchard. Opposing players recognize it too. The next step is getting the broader hockey community to understand it. It’s not about hype—it’s about consistency and impact. No player better exemplifies the shift in defensive philosophy in today’s NHL than Bouchard. He doesn’t crush opponents with hits like Scott Stevens once did. He doesn’t always dazzle with Makar-level skating. But he’s surgical, smart, and utterly reliable.

As the Oilers continue to push for a Stanley Cup and transition into what may be the final years of the McDavid-Draisaitl partnership, Bouchard is quickly becoming the next pillar. His contract—signed at a bargain given his rising value—will soon be viewed as one of the best deals in the league. That’s the kind of leverage a Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman gives you: control, poise, production, and a sense of security every time he hops over the boards.

It’s easy to forget that Bouchard is still developing when he already looks like a top-five defenseman. But this season has been a crucial inflection point. Every shift is more composed. Every decision is quicker. Every game feels like a platform on which he’s building something even more complete.

If the Oilers do win the Cup this year—and there’s a real chance they might—it won’t just be the McDavid-Draisaitl story that carries the narrative. It will be Bouchard’s emergence, his step from solid to spectacular, that defines the defensive success behind Edmonton’s explosive offense.

The Norris Trophy isn’t just about past performance. It’s about projecting forward, identifying who sets the standard at the blue line for seasons to come. Evan Bouchard is not just part of that conversation anymore. He is the conversation. And if voters aren’t paying close enough attention now, they’ll have no choice next year.

Because if this season is any indication, this is the last time Evan Bouchard finishes low on the Norris ballots. And the rest of the league better be ready.