Zachary Bolduc: Another Player to Consider

Jonathan Di Gregorio
Zachary Bolduc: Another Player to Consider
Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Believe it or not, it's already August, and the Canadiens still have two restricted-free-agents without contracts for the upcoming season: Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc.

One might wonder why these two signings are dragging on for two young players who seem to be enjoying their time in Montreal.

However, with less than $10 million available in the team's salary cap, it's understandable that Kent Hughes is likely trying to sign both players at a price that will allow him to maintain some flexibility for a potential trade later on.

As for Bolduc, who finished his first season with the Habs with 30 points—including 10 goals—in 78 games, he showed flashes of promise, especially early in the season, but wasn't always consistent.

However, toward the end of the season and especially during the playoffs, the Quebec native began playing much more physically and found a new role with the Habs.

The Trois-Rivières native has not yet reached his full potential, and it's understandable that it's difficult for the organization to assess his true value, especially given the current salary cap situation.

However, as Karine Hains explains in an article in The Hockey News, Hughes may well have a new benchmark for negotiating with Bolduc, as the Sharks recently signed Collin Graf.

The 23-year-old forward signed a three-year, one-way contract worth an average of $4.25 million per year after recording 46 points—including 21 goals—in 81 games with San Jose.

As Hains points out, even though Graf's most recent season was more productive than Bolduc's, the players have comparable production after three NHL seasons: in 175 games, Bolduc has 75 points for an average of 0.43 points per game, while Graf has 59 points in 121 games for 0.48 points per game.

In my opinion, the Sharks forward seems to be a more realistic comparison for Kent Hughes than Mavrik Bourque, who has also been mentioned as a benchmark for Bolduc's contract negotiations.

In fact, I get the impression that if the Canadiens' GM manages to work his magic when it comes time to negotiate deals, we could expect to see Bolduc sign a contract of similar length to Hains' for $4 million per year.


In a Nutshell

– My colleague Charles-Alexis Brisebois is visiting TSP.

– The shake-up continues in Toronto.

– Off to San Francisco.

– Reinforcements for the Yankees.

– A brief appearance.

– Still plenty of fans in attendance.

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