Bouchard will likely open the season with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL. The 24-year-old winger has displayed some scoring prowess in his time with the Hershey Bears, but he's unlikely to see much time in the NHL this year, limiting his upside.
Bouchard is one of Washington’s better prospects and at 23 years young should be playing in the NHL in the next few years. He has spent his last three seasons in AHL Hershey after dominating the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at 19. He tallied 92 points that year and has 102 career points in the AHL. He is a shifty winger with a stellar shot and plays a similar style as his brother, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, of the Minnesota Wild. It is possible we will see him play this year if injuries plague any wingers.
As a second round choice of the Caps in 2006, Bouchard has been making the most of his time in the AHL. He may find a call up here or there, but with only two seasons under his belt in Hershey he still has some developing to do before he becomes an NHL player.
Bouchard recorded 92 points (36 goals, 56 assists) in 68 games for Baie-Comeau of the QMJHL in 2007-08, leading his team in scoring and finishing eighth in the league. Bouchard has been skating with Brendan Morrison and Alexander Semin on the team's second line. He has a knack for making plays and finding the back of the net. If the rookie does not make the team, remember his name - you will e hearing it soon.
Bouchard is a playmaker, with great vision, an exceptional shot, and has the potential to be a huge producer on the power play and in the NHL. At 19, he put up 92 points (36 goals, 56 assists) in 68 games for in the QMJHL in last season. He was promoted to the AHL at the end of the season, recording one goal in only four games in which he played. He will be a vital part of the Hershey team this season and can continue to put up numbers like he did in the Juniors, you may be hearing his name soon. Make sure to remember his name, which is easier to do since he is the brother of the Wild’s Pierre-Marc Bouchard.
After being selected in the second round of the 2006 draft, Bouchard boosted his stock immensely by leading the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in points last season with 125 in 68 games, joining such luminaries as Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby (as well as his brother, Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc) in accomplishing that feat. Bouchard isn't quite destined for the same things as those great ones, but he impressed at the Capitals' 2007 rookie camp and will probably be given a major role at AHL Hershey in 2007-08.
Bouchard, selected 35th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, is only 18 and should spend at least another season in the Junior ranks.
Boushard, who was ranked in the mid-60s by the International Scouting Service, is the brother of Minnesota's Pierre-Marc. While not as talented as his brother, Francois is still an excellent playmaker and is significantly bigger than his diminutive brother, an advantage that will help this winger. Francois needs to have a very structured, well-defined role in order to succeed and with the right support will do so. Just don't expect it to happen for several years.
