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TSN’s Craig Button did not put Evan Bouchard of the Oilers on the TSN list of Top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects and he explained his reasoning at length today on Jason Gregor’s radio show:

“I like Evan Bouchard,” Button said. “I think he’s got lots of capabilities. But I know one things that’s essential to success at the National Hockey League level and that’s a pace and tempo that Evan Bouchard has to improve. It has to be much better.

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“It’s not about points. I just watched him in a best on best tournament. I watched him against his peer group as a 19-year-old defenceman and you factor that in. You factor in what I’ve seen in London… This isn’t about him not being a good NHL prospect or potential… Evan Bouchard fell far short of excelling at that (World Junior) tournament and I still think he’s got excellent potential, but he needs work on his pace and tempo and if it doesn’t improve, he’s going to have a tough time playing in the National Hockey League.”