Evan Bouchard sets NHL records with six goals in first four games; defenseman ties Bobby Orr

Evan Bouchard is having a historic start to the 2026-27 season. The 26-year-old Edmonton Oilers defenseman has scored six goals and recorded 11 points through four games, leading the league in both categories and tying Bobby Orr for the second-most points by a defenseman through a season's first four games in NHL history.

Bouchard is the first defenseman in NHL history to record five points in the opening game of a season, and the first to score a hat trick in a season opener since 1980. He is also the first defenseman to score six goals in the first four games since Harry Cameron of the Toronto St. Patricks in the NHL's inaugural 1917-18 season—when Cameron scored eight goals in the same span.

Perhaps most remarkably, Bouchard has a plus-10 rating through the first four games. Bouchard also became the first defenseman in NHL history to record 10 or more points and a plus-10 rating through the first four games of a season. The only player to surpass his pace through four games is Harry Cameron, who had 14 points in 1917-18. Bobby Orr, who sits second all-time, had 11 points through his first four games in 1975-76.

Oilers head coach Mike Babcock said he was surprised by the performance. Bouchard could be a threat for both the Norris Trophy, awarded to the league's best defenseman, and the Hart Trophy, given to the most valuable player.