Evan Bouchard draws early Hart Trophy speculation

He has six goals through four preseason appearances.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 49m1 min read

Could Evan Bouchard enter the Hart convo? - Oct. 8, 2026 - Frankly Hockey with @Buccigross https://t.co/mMtOOnnDA3 Via @frank_seravalli on X

What happened: Frank Seravalli floated Evan Bouchard as a potential Hart Trophy candidate on Thursday's episode of Frankly Hockey. The discussion with John Buccigross centered on the defenseman's exceptional start to the year.

Why it matters: The defenseman is drawing 100-point projections after recording a 73.5 percent expected goals share. His early production has earned praise regarding his fit in Mike Babcock's system.

By the numbers: Bouchard has tallied 11 points and a league-leading six goals through four preseason contests.

What to watch: Observers will watch to see if he can maintain his MVP-level pace when the regular season begins.

Sources

@frank_seravalli 2026-10-08T18:01:03.795316+00:00

CONVERSATION

Loading comments…

NHLAnalysisEvan Bouchard

Follow NHL Intelligence

Real-time signals and analysis

@WireReportPuck

WR Pro

The day's sports, briefed to your inbox at 7am ET. Every claim sourced.

$9/month Free weekly newsletter →