Montreal Canadiens
Trouble in Contract Talks Between the Canadiens and Zachary Bolduc?
Zachary Bolduc remains unsigned despite being a key part of the Canadiens’ future. Should Montreal fans be concerned?
In a rare “hockey trade,” the Montreal Canadiens acquired Zachary Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Logan Mailloux at the start of free agency last summer on July 1, 2025. It is unusual in today’s NHL to see two young players swapped for one another in a true need-for-need move.
Bolduc was coming off a 36-point season in 72 games, ranking fourth among rookies with 19 goals and first with a +20 rating. Mailloux, meanwhile, had not yet established himself as a full-time NHL player, appearing in just eight games over the previous two seasons and recording five points.
At the time, it was a curious trade for the Blues, who appeared to be giving up the stronger young player. St. Louis evidently felt its need for a young defenceman outweighed its need for another young forward.
Steal of a Trade?
On the surface, the trade initially looked like a steal for the Canadiens. There was speculation from the moment it happened that it could turn out that way, and early returns seem to support that belief.
Bolduc got off to a tremendous start in Montreal, scoring in each of his first three games with the club. His season was somewhat uneven, however. He cooled off through the middle portion of the year before finishing with 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. He also posted a -6 rating, a significant drop from the +20 he recorded during his rookie campaign.
Mailloux struggled at times with the Blues as well. He initially had difficulty adjusting to NHL pace and continued to have defensive lapses. St. Louis sheltered him somewhat, limiting him to an average of 16:46 per game, and he finished the season with 13 points and a -10 rating.
It remains too early to declare a clear winner or loser in the trade. Defencemen often take longer to develop, and Bolduc experienced a bit of a sophomore slump compared to his rookie season. That said, Bolduc showed some encouraging flashes during Montreal’s playoff run, recording seven points in 19 games.
Next Deal?
The question now is: what will Bolduc’s next contract look like?
The young winger remains a Restricted Free Agent and is still unsigned deep into the offseason. The Canadiens are reportedly weighing the merits of a bridge contract versus a long-term extension, trying to balance Bolduc’s upside against the season he just had.
Speaking with RDS, Bolduc did not sound completely certain that a deal is imminent, suggesting negotiations may be more complicated than initially believed:
“I’d love to play in Montreal for several seasons. But on the other hand, management has to make their own decisions too. Like I said, I’m not going to get ahead of myself on anything, but I trust my agent on that end and I’m confident that good things are coming.”
Bolduc clearly wants to remain in Montreal, but his comments also suggest he is unsure where management stands. It has previously been reported that the Canadiens view him as part of their core moving forward, which makes this negotiation particularly interesting.
My guess is that Bolduc wants to bet on himself and is looking for a larger commitment than Montreal is currently comfortable making.
Contract Landscape
The financial side of the equation becomes even more interesting when looking around the league. Young players are cashing in earlier than ever, and contracts that seemed aggressive a few years ago are quickly becoming the norm.
Take Ville Koivunen’s eight-year contract carrying a $4 million AAV, despite having just two NHL goals in 47 career games. Bolduc will undoubtedly use deals like that as part of his comparable set, and it would not be surprising if he targets a higher number.
It is remarkable how quickly the contract landscape continues to evolve. Every new deal seems to raise the bar for the next player negotiating.
Whether the Canadiens opt for a short-term bridge contract or a long-term extension, it will be fascinating to see where the final number lands. Montreal is in an excellent salary-cap position, but that does not mean management will be eager to overpay for a player who may still have some question marks attached to his long-term projection.
Next: The Top 5 NHL Draft Floor Trades, Ranked by Impact
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