Every offseason, the same recycled narrative emerges: comparing the Edmonton Oilers’ so-called “Core Four” to that of the Toronto Maple Leafs. This year, things look a little different.

It’d be easy to look at Evan Bouchard’s new contract with a gaping mouth. It’d be simpler still, now that he’s set to become the NHL’s fourth-highest-paid defenseman, to fret about what that means for the Edmonton Oilers’ chances of competing for the Stanley Cup not only next season but for years to come.

It’s usually Evan Bouchard who is responsible for the bombs around here, but this time it was the Edmonton Oilers making the big noise. The team is re-signing the restricted free agent to a whopping contract worth $10.