2026 Canadiens Top 25 Under 25: #9 Zachary Bolduc
Introduction
When Kent Hughes correctly identified his contingent of offensive defencemen as a position of significant organizational strength, he started working some trades to improve his roster up front. Enter Zachary Bolduc, acquired in a one-for-one deal with the St. Louis Blues for Logan Mailloux one year ago. Since then, Bolduc has held a top-10 spot on our annual list.
Claiming victory on a trade less than one year after it gets completed is a dangerous prospect, but the return on sending Mailloux to St. Louis, so far, has been solid. Mailloux would have struggled to get into a Montreal lineup that features some extremely talented offensive defencemen, while Bolduc was rarely held out of the Habs’ lineup. A 30-point year didn’t quite eclipse what he did with the Blues the year prior, but there were flashes of a player that has the potential to put up a lot more.
That was made even clearer when we saw how Bolduc performed in the playoffs. He didn’t blow the doors off scoring-wise, but chipped in at some key moments, and showed that he has the physicality to help make the team a tough out when the games start to really count. Going into year two with the club, his mission will be to show that he can be that player more consistently.
Voting
Our panel was nearly unanimous in placing him as a top-10 player this year. It was not dissimilar to last year’s vote, but the votes did slide from his first appearance. A strong year will be needed to hold his spot, let alone gain any ground in our ranking.
Top 25 Under 25 History
He debuted at eighth following his trade from St. Louis last year, and falls one spot despite a really big name ahead of him graduating. Next year will be his last year of eligibility before he graduates himself.
History of #9
| Year | #9 |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Zachary Bolduc |
| 2025 | Michael Hage |
| 2024 | Joshua Roy |
| 2023 | Joshua Roy |
| 2022 | Jordan Harris |
| 2021 | Jordan Harris |
| 2020 | Ryan Poehling |
| 2019 | Alexander Romanov |
| 2018 | Noah Juulsen |
| 2017 | Michael McCarron |
| 2016 | Sven Andrighetto |
| 2015 | Jarred Tinordi |
| 2014 | Artturi Lehkonen |
| 2013 | Louis Leblanc |
| 2012 | Danny Kristo |
| 2011 | Aaron Palushaj |
| 2010 | Tom Pyatt |
Strengths
One of the key attractions to Bolduc when the club traded for him, aside from the fact that they simply needed help on the wing, was his physicality. He plays a strong forecheck game, pressuring opposing defenders low in the zone and creating offensive opportunities by forcing turnovers either through direct steals or a bad pass created by his pressure. His general style of play is still something the team is trying to find more of for their forward group.
He also boasts a significantly-above-average shot, with the caveat that he doesn’t quite use it enough. We saw it in the playoffs when he took a Nick Suzuki pass and one-touched it so quickly off the back bar that the Tampa Bay Lightning players didn’t seem to know what had happened. When he’s taking clean looks, he can beat goalies from distance, and should have 20-plus goal potential if he can achieve a little more consistency in using that weapon.
His defensive game has arguably been the most impressive aspect of his performances with the Habs so far. The same physical engagement he shows in the offensive zone helps him disrupt transition, and he is rarely seen taking a leisurely skate if the play is headed toward his zone. He backchecks hard, locates the best position to defend, and renders it difficult for his opponents to create anything.
Weaknesses
Consistency, particularly on the offensive side of things, remains somewhat of a concern. It is fair to wonder whether his lack of consistency in terms of deployment contributes to that of his production, as they tried him just about everywhere in the lineup during the season. Now that the coaching staff has a whole year of experience fitting him into their lineup, hopefully they can iron out a set of lines that would allow him to settle in with more regular linemates.
Assuming that happens, the next step for him is to elevate his offensive game. As mentioned, increasing shooting volume would be an excellent step. Whatever line he’s on will need him to work just as hard in forechecking opposing defenders, and then be able to locate his linemates more consistently when he’s able to turn pucks over in the offensive zone.
Projection
When Bolduc joined the Habs last season, the question was whether or not he could become a legitimate top-six option for them. He got a crack at that upper echelon of the lineup, and didn’t necessarily look out of place, but wasn’t able to perform consistently enough to stay up there. He can be elevated in a pinch, but it may not be a permanent promotion.
What we saw from him in the playoffs is what he should be expanding upon. There, he was a very effective bottom-six winger, chipping in with some important goals and providing a strong forecheck that helped his team get through two rounds. At his best, he’s a luxury to have on a third line, providing the team with secondary scoring and the security of knowing that he can skate higher up in the lineup if need be.
There is still a rather significant bridge to cross, however. As of this writing, he remains without a contract, a restricted free agent as we drift toward the start of training camp. I don’t think this is something to be overly concerned about. It stands to reason that they will come to an agreement in time, but we have to wonder what that agreement will look like. A bridge deal seems reasonable, and sets him up to ask for a much bigger payday on the other side if he performs well with a rising salary cap. A long-term deal would certainly carry a higher annual average, but he’s not in a position to ask for the wild salaries that have become commonplace in today’s NHL. He has said he wants to remain with the team, so they’ll have to iron something out sooner rather than later.
It’s tough to pinpoint what the deal will look like, but assuming they reach one, you can slot him in as a third-line winger quite comfortably. With the way he elevated his game in the playoffs, there is reason to believe that consistent deployment in that role could lead to a strong second season in the Tricolore.
