“I’ve fallen in love with the guy”: Former Maple Leafs star Jeff O’Neill praises Evan Bouchard as elite NHL defenseman

A surprising moment happened on June 5, 2025, during a TSN segment when a well-known Toronto Maple Leafs supporter gave huge praise to Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard. The comment came from Jeff O’Neill, a former Leafs forward, while talking with Chris Hayes and Jamie McLennan on their TSN show OverDrive.

What he said has caught the attention of fans across the NHL.

Jeff O’Neill says Bouchard is one of the top defensemen in the NHL

During the TSN OverDrive show on June 5, Jeff O’Neill shared his thoughts after watching Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. He said: “I think the pecking order on ‘D’ in the National Hockey League is one, Cale Makar and two, Bouchard.” O’Neill even joked that in the past, people might have laughed at that take. But now, based on how Bouchard is playing, he believes it’s true.

The discussion happened live on TSN between Chris Hayes, Jamie McLennan, and Jeff O’Neill. Hayes said he still prefers Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. But Jeff O’Neill pushed back with a fun comment. He said if there was a special hut for elite defensemen with Makar and Hughes inside, they would invite Bouchard in and say, “You’re a member. Now come have a coffee.”McLennan reminded everyone of a mistake Bouchard made in November 2024 during a game between Edmonton and Toronto, where Bouchard accidentally hit Connor McDavid with the puck.

But McLennan added that Bouchard in the playoffs is a different player: “He can play in all scenarios and doesn’t get overwhelmed.”Also Read: Brad Marchand To The Maple Leafs? Critics Argue It’s The Only Way To Toughen Up Toronto

Bouchard shines with the Oilers in 2024 and 2025 playoffs

Evan Bouchard, who had an 82-point regular season in 2023-24, has continued to impress in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has taken control of the Oilers’ power play and helped improve their penalty kill during the series against Los Angeles Kings.Many fans and analysts now believe Bouchard is one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He has outplayed strong players like Drew Doughty, Shea Theodore, and Miro Heiskanen in each round.Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch and advisor Paul Coffey have trusted Bouchard in key moments, and the 24-year-old is delivering.Jeff O’Neill ended his talk by saying, “I’ve fallen in love with the guy.”