Ex-NHLer James Wisniewski criticized by Oilers analyst for comparing Evan Bouchard to blind musician Ray Charles

Former NHLer James Wisniewski faced criticism from Edmonton Oilers analyst David Staples for comparing defenseman Evan Bouchard to blind musician Ray Charles.

Bouchard signed a four-year, $42 million contract extension with the Oilers in July.

On the "Empty Netters" podcast, Wisniewski said Bouchard’s contract does not align with the team’s goal of advancing to the championship level status and that he was not worth that much.

“I don’t think that Bouchard at $10.5 million is the right play. If you want to f*cking win, that is not the guy that you’re going to sign to go to the next level… I guarantee you right now, if you gave me two months of actually getting my fat ass in shape, I could run the f*cking power play… Literally you had to be f*cking Ray Charles in order not to run that f*cking power play in Edmonton."

In response, analyst David Staples criticized Wisniewski’s remarks, suggesting that he underestimated Bouchard’s contributions to the Oilers’ power play.

"It just struck me that he was underestimating what Evan Bouchard does on the Oilers' power play. He said Ray Charles could run the Oilers' power play. And for those of you who don't know who Ray Charles is, he's a blind musician, very famous in the United States," he said on the "Oilers Now" podcast (4:36 onwards).

James Wisniewski had an 11-season career in the NHL, playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes.

The former defenseman accumulated 274 points through 53 goals and 221 assists in 552 games.

Evan Bouchard makes his feelings known after signing contract extension with the Oilers

After signing his extension with the Oilers, Evan Bouchard shared that his goal is to help the team win the Stanley Cup.

"Definitely, that's the goal for myself and the organization and everybody else in the locker room is to win the Stanley Cup," Bouchard said via NHL.

Bouchard was drafted with the 10th pick by the Oilers in 2018. He has accumulated 238 points through 55 goals and 183 assists in 347 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he has recorded 81 points (20 goals, 61 assists) in 75 games.