Now that Jakub Chychrun was signed by the Capitals, a similar dollar figure has been mentioned by Frank Seravalli in relation to Evan Bouchard's next deal. Stan Bowman has some critical contract negotiations ahead of him. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid will be eligible for an extension in July, and top-scoring defenseman Evan Bouchard will be <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/evan-bouchard-reportedly-asking-for-a-massive-number-on-his-next-contract-with-the-oilers' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights for the first time.</a> On 'Daily Faceoff Live', <a href='https://x.com/frank_seravalli' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Frank Seravalli</a> was asked if Jakob Chychrun's new contract in Washington, eight years, $72 million, could set the bar for Bouchard's next deal. I think it helps set the baseline, the standard of what [Bouchard's next contract might it look like, Seravalli said. The Oilers need to do whatever they can to keep [Bouchard] under a $10 million AAV. If it's beyond that, I'm saying: 'I'm gonna have to look to move you.' <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/OilersNation/status/1904583958102499366'> </a></blockquote></div> Chychrun, who resurrected his career after a tough season in Ottawa, has put up career-high totals with the Capitals, which resulted in a $9 million AAV contract. <h3>Frank Seravalli believes Bouchard may ask for more than Chychrun</h3> Basing it on Bouchard's 82-point campaign in 2023-24 and production this season (55 points in 70 games), his side will be seeking a salary north of Chychrun's, potentially in the $10-million-per-year range. That their situations aren't exactly the same is certain. Chychrun was drafted in 2016, played for three teams, and was set to become an unrestricted free agent. Bouchard, a 2018 draftee, didn't become a full-time NHL player until 2021-22. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1899256105403810289'> </a></blockquote></div> While <a href='https://www.nhl.com/oilers/player/evan-bouchard-8480803' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Bouchard</a> does hold arbitration rights, the Oilers still have him under their control for two more years, which diminishes his leverage, so that could possibly lower his overall total salary ever so slightly. Bouchard's contract trajectory is tracking that of Darnell Nurse, who signed two bridge deals before signing an eight-year, $74 million extension. Edmonton would prefer to reach a long-term deal this summer, but having to manage a commitment to McDavid after recently signing Leon Draisaitl will be challenging.