Toronto Maple Leafs: 2018 NHL Draft Risers and Fallers in February
By Austin Owens
Riser: Evan Bouchard, Defence, London Knights (OHL)
I had Bouchard down in an earlier article as a player the Toronto Maple Leafs should target in this draft. With his strong play as of late, it looks like the London blueliner will be off the board well before the Buds gets to the podium.
Bouchard has been one of the strongest defenders in all of Canadian junior hockey. His offensive production has taken a drastic jump this season. So much so that he is leading the Knights in scoring by 30 points.
With four games left to go in his second OHL season, Bouchard has 23 goals and 61 assists for 84 points this season. That’s 12 more goals and 40 more total points than he had to end last year.
In 11 games during the month of February, he had 16 points, including five goals, while having 10 penalty minutes and a -1 rating.
It comes as no surprise to anyone that London is once again in a playoff position in the OHL’s Western Conference. They are well off the massive point total set by the Western-leading Sault St. Marie Greyhounds. But you don’t know what can happen once the playoffs roll around.
One thing is for sure: The success of the Knights, both offensively and defensively, rests on the shoulders of their best player.
He’s already cemented himself as a top 10 pick in this draft. But Bouchard could make even more noise if he performs under pressure in the OHL playoffs.