The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed Evan Bouchard to a new four-year contract. Now we grade the deal for both the player and the franchise.

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.

As Edmonton Oilers fans watched the NHL’s free-agency window open Tuesday with the team’s roster shedding its skin with major departures at forward, at least they went to bed the previous night knowing the blue line was secured.