The Edmonton Oilers are off to a very slow start, and it is getting to the point where punishment is looming in order to try and right the ship. According to reports, it may be taken out on this defenseman. <h2>Oilers Slow Start is Not What They Hoped For</h2> The Oilers had a pretty successful season last year, making a solid push into the playoffs. Many expected that this year could be the year they contend for the Cup, building off last year's success. While it is still early, their start to the season has been well below that expectation. <q>Certainly not to our standard. Coach Woodcorft summarizes the loss in Minnesota. </q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1717035038481768615'> </a></blockquote></div> The Oilers have started the year off 1-4-1, and are near the bottom of the conference standings. To make matters worse, their star and leader Connor McDavid is out with an injury. Despite the slow start, however, some players have started the season hot, like defenseman Evan Bouchard. <h2>Should Oilers Bench Bouchard to Make a Statement?</h2> Bouchard has come out of the gates flying this season, recording 8 points in 6 games. Despite the offensive production, he is a disappointing minus 8 on the year so far. While he isn't necessarily known for his defensive play, it's clear that this part of his game is significantly lacking and needs improvement for the team to reach its goals. <q>Quite a boxcar line for Evan Bouchard tonight. 1-2-3, -3. On the season, he's now 6 GP, 2-6-8, -8. On pace for 109 points but also -109. Hoping he finds his mojo sooner than later. This is painful.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BruceMcCurdy/status/1717045121093693924'> </a></blockquote></div> Now could be an opportune time for the Oilers to make a statement and sit Bouchard for a game. The Oilers are well known as an offensive first team, but sitting Bouchard would be a strong message from the coaching staff that this offence can't come at the expense of other parts of the game. Also, sitting a star player would make a strong statement to the team that things need to change. While it is unlikely that this actually happens, it's not entirely out of the question, as star defensemen have sat before early in the season. At this juncture, games are still not yet significant, and the Oilers could make an important statement to right the ship. As seen on <a href='https://www.hockeyotb.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/Oilers-To-Send-Strong-Message-To-Star-Defenseman' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Hockey OTB</a> - Oilers To Send Strong Message To Star Defenseman