Project Zachary Bolduc’s Next Contract with the Canadiens – Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have already taken care of several key pieces of their young core over the past few years. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson have all received long-term commitments from Kent Hughes, giving the organization more stability going forward.

After a promising first season with the Canadiens, Zachary Bolduc has shown that he has the ability to be an important part of Montreal’s future. Now a restricted free agent, Hughes will need to take care of a new contract for the young forward.

Bridge Feast

The most likely outcome is likely to be a bridge deal. While Bolduc is enjoying a very encouraging season, he still has little NHL experience compared to many players who sign long-term extensions.

The Canadiens also have a handful of young players vying for top-six roles. Demidov, Slafkovsky, Caufield, Newhook and Suzuki are all expected to play significant minutes in the coming years. As a result, Montreal may choose to wait before committing to a longer contract until they have a clearer picture of where Bolduc fits in in the short and long term.

A two- or three-year bridge contract will benefit both parties. Bolduc will have a chance to prove himself. At the same time, Canadiens would get more information before making a big financial commitment. Hughes has shown patience during his tenure as general manager. While he has signed many players for a long time, those extensions usually come after the organization has a firm understanding of each player’s role. With Bolduc, a few more seasons can answer any remaining questions.

What Would a Salary Look Like?

The salary will largely depend on the length of the contract. If the Canadiens and Bolduc agree on a bridge deal, something like $3 million per season seems like a realistic number. That would reward Bolduc for his progress while still reflecting the fact that he hasn’t settled into multiple NHL seasons.

A cap hit around that number will remain very manageable in Montreal as salary continues to rise. It will leave the Canadiens with a lot of flexibility while Bolduc continues to improve. If, however, both sides decide to skip the bridge contract and commit to a long-term extension, another interesting comparison is already in place.

Mavrik Bourque recently signed a six-year contract worth $5.5 million per year with the Nashville Predators. Like Bolduc, Bourque was a young forward with plenty of upside but still had room to grow at the NHL level.

A similar contract for Bolduc would make sense if both sides believe he can be a consistent front nine. It would provide Bolduc with long-term security while giving Montreal a chance to secure what could end up being a bargain if his offensive production continues to rise.

The decision ultimately comes down to danger. A bridge deal carries less risk for the Canadiens but could be more expensive in the long run if Bolduc starts. A long-term agreement has an immediate commitment but can save millions over the life of the contract.

The future in Montreal

Regardless of what type of contract ends up being signed, the Canadiens clearly view Bolduc as an important part of their future. His combination of skill, skating, competitiveness and willingness to play a physical game gives Montreal another versatile forward who can play in a variety of situations. He has already shown flashes of being able to produce offensively while also bringing the intensity of Martin St. Louis wants his team every night.

Bolduc won’t be asked to carry the offense the way Suzuki or Caufield do, but he has all the tools to be a reliable top-six winger who can score 20 goals while playing a solid, two-way game. Those players are incredibly important, especially if they are developed from within.

Whether it’s a two- or three-year bridge deal worth around $3 million a year or a six-year commitment like Bourque’s deal, both sides have strong reasons to get things in common. The Canadiens have another promising young player they believe in, and Bolduc has every opportunity to prove himself as a key contributor in the coming years.