Canadiens Sign Zachary Bolduc To Four-Year Extension
The Canadiens have signed forward Zachary Bolduc to a four-year extension with a $4.2MM AAV, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
A restricted free agent after his first season in Montreal which brought 12 goals and 30 points in 78 games, the Habs are set to keep the Quebec native around for the next four years which are full of optimism with a well-executed rebuild having reached its completion.
Acquired from St. Louis in July 2025 in exchange for defenseman Logan Mailloux, a classic 1-1 positional swap between talented young first-rounders, Bolduc looked to break out after his 19 goals with the Blues two years ago. It definitely looked that way early on, scoring in each of his first three games, but as the year wore on his production capped out more modestly, ending with six fewer points year-over-year despite an uptick in ice time to 13:38 which equaled about one more shift per game. Even then, still just 23, he has all the traits to be a valuable complementary piece in the middle-six at the least, having a high-end shot which gives him a 25+ goal upside. The Canadiens already have dynamic talent sorted out at the top of their lineup, so Bolduc is a great piece to supplement the group as long as he reaches his potential.
Never jumping out on the score sheet last season, partially thanks to a 31-game goal drought, Bolduc’s presence was felt in the playoffs as the Canadiens unexpectedly reached the Eastern Conference finals. His forechecking and two-way game, chipping in offensively at key times, proved his worth to the club. There was speculation of a possible trade to land a second-line center but it was never truly substantiated. During the summer it was reported that either a two-year bridge deal or a longer term deal with five years were discussed, and after today’s news, they’ve effectively met somewhere in the middle with cap savings the benefit of a shorter term and less team control.
Listed as a center, playing as a pivot during his impressive QMJHL career with the Quebec Remparts which included a Memorial Cup in 2023, Bolduc mostly stuck on the wing last year. Lining up for 19 draws, he came away winning half of them, solid results to speak to his upside down the middle but far too small a sample size. Unlikely to ever become a full time center in Montreal, his flexibility to jump into the dot when needed on occasion is always useful. As for his special teams contribution, Bolduc saw meaningful time on the Habs’ 10th ranked power play’s second unit, 1:36 a game. He came away with three goals and six points on the man-advantage.
Just last month it looked like a sign-and-trade was a possibility, but even after adding another winger in Chris Kreider yesterday, apparently general manager Kent Hughes found no beneficial trade to explore, and his team has adequate cap room for a contender moving into the upcoming season. Still holding $3.4MM after this week’s moves, they’ll need to work something out with 25-year-old defenseman Arber Xhekaj, the last of their RFA group.
Not a perfect match on term, Bolduc’s contract can be otherwise compared to fellow 23-year-old Collin Graf’s three-year agreement worth $4.25MM, a reward from his 21-goal, 46-point breakout. 24-year-old Alex Laferriere of Los Angeles is also in the range, with two of his three year contract remaining with a $4.1MM AAV, who also netted 21 goals last season. Taking a step comfortably into the 40+ point range will be needed for Bolduc at his new contract value, and it will be curious to see how Kreider’s role affects the newly signed winger who will be hungry to get rolling in camp.
