Bolduc set to make NHL debut for Blues on Thursday against Islanders

And so it begins.

The 17th pick in the 2021 NHL Draft will make his NHL debut on Thursday against the New York Islanders.

The 20-year-old forward was called up after putting up 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 48 games with the Thunderbirds this season, including six points (two goals, four assists) in Springfield's past seven games.

It's no secret that the Blues need 5-on-5 scoring. They currently sit 27th in the NHL in that category with 101 goals in 55 games, or 1.8 goals per game.

"I think right now, we have to create more offense 5-on-5 and I think everyone's had the opportunity to play regular minutes," Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said, "and right now, we're stuck in the mud 5-on-5. We're able to score on the power play, but we need a boost 5-on-5 and hopefully Zack can bring us that boost but also give our other guys a push."

Bolduc, who won the Ontario Hockey League title and Memorial Cup last season with the Quebec Remparts which was coached coincidentally by the coach he'll face for the first time in the NHL Thursday, Patrick Roy, will get thrust right into the top six; he skated on a line with Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours on Wednesday at Enterprise Center.

"The moment he got drafted, he's looking forward to this day," Schenn said. "We're excited for him, I'm excited for him. I'm sure he's looking for the opportunity. I think the reality of how his game goes, people are obviously going to look at his first one and obviously a lot of eyes on him and stuff like that. I think just make him feel comfortable and with me and Jake on his line, excited for him and you just try and help the nerves. That's all you can do.

"I played one game with him in Kansas City (in the preseason), but other than that, he's a happy kid. He's always smiling, he's always laughing. He's got good energy around him and we're looking forward to helping him on the team."

The Blues have used Kasperi Kapanen, Brandon Saad, Sammy Blais, Oskar Sundqvist and Nathan Walker to name some all in the top nine, and some in the top six, where some scoring is needed. And when none was provided, it was evident that management was going to do something other than alter the roster from outside in.

And with the Blues clinging to the second wild card from the Western Conference, if the guys from within the roster can't get the job done, then it's time to look from the prospect pipeline.

"At the end of the day, you realize as a player those decisions are out of your control, so you go out there and you play and you work," Schenn said. "We still believe in this hockey team. We're in a playoff spot right now, we're battling with other teams, we're a good hockey team. Yeah, we haven't won, the past four games haven't been great obviously other than Edmonton. We feel in this locker room that we're playoff team and whether guys are in and out of the lineup, you have to come in here and fit and just help the team win, and that's all that we're really focused on right now."

Bolduc, who has 110 points (50 goals, 60 assists) during the regular season in 2022-23 with the Remparts, is a shooter who likes to play his off-wing. Utilizing that one-timer is something the Blues are lacking -- and needing -- at this point.

"With my game, I want to shoot the puck," Bolduc said. "I think it's one of my qualities. I've got to use it as much as I can. For me, it's just read the play and make the good play. It's going to come to me.

"I think for me it's just playing with pace. Sometimes it was taking a shift or two off into periods. Just to be ready for every shift I'm going on the ice. The defensive side of the puck and my d-zone was a big part of what they wanted me to improve."

Bolduc's numbers didn't look gaudy in Springfield, sure, but that's because the 6-foot-0, 187-pound winger was more focused on becoming a more complete player.

"You want to score, you want to make some points, but for me, the big part of my development was to get better in my game overall," Bolduc said. "I think I did some improvement. I think I still have to get better at some certain stuff, but for sure, you always want to make more points than what you have. I put a lot of focus on my overall game in the defensive side and I'm very proud of what I did.

"We have the same system as they have here. It's going to be easier for me to join the group. I know Drew, I know what he wants from me. I had a meeting with him this morning talking what he was expecting from me. Everything's clear and just excited for tomorrow."

Bannister had his hands on Bolduc before the 49-year-old was promoted to the Blues, having coached him in Springfield. The air was made clear, and the objectives are similar.

"I've had that conversation with him already and his linemates too," Bannister said. "I think it's just over-communicating with him and telling him and enforcing the positive if he gets in an area where he feels he can get the puck to the net, then he has to shoot. Those conversations have been had already. I don't see it being an issue moving forward here. But young players always tend to defer to the older players on the ice because one of his strong points is to shoot and score, we want to see him utilize that.

"I think when Zach came to Springfield, our main focus was on his play away from the puck. I think for all young players coming from junior to college, the transition defensively becomes the toughest part, especially for offensively gifted players like him where quite frankly scored at will in junior hockey. Trying to take a little bit of pressure off of that because you get to the next level, whether it's at the American Hockey League or the NHL, it becomes tough to score. Just trying to really focus on his defensive habits, his puck play, playing more on the inside at this level. I think what stood out for me was his willingness to learn and how receptive he was to our staff there. I started to see a lot of growth in his game just before I came up. The offensive side kind of started to click for him."

Bolduc was probably as surprised as he was excited to get the call-up. The idea was for him to play the entire season in Springfield, but the Blues need a change, and it's Bolduc's time to see if he can provide some punch. If anything, it's good experience, and good exposure for what's down the road.

"You always wait for a call up, but at some point, you've got to do your thing and get better in your game," Bolduc said. "For me, the big part was the defensive side. I think I improved my game and I still got some stuff to improve, but I'm really excited to be here.

"I would say when I received the call, the nerves came in. It's still there. Excited for tomorrow. I can't wait for my first shift to get that stress excitement out of me."