It’s Time to put Bolduc With Demidov

Laine and Demidov definitely have chemistry that runs deep when they play together on the power-play, but their two preseason games were not good enough at even strength to be a legitimate full-time duo. The offensive potential was fun to think of and watch on the power-play, but as for the rest of their game, it just can’t click properly.

After watching Demidov through his first two preseason matchups, it seems like he needs someone who isn’t afraid to get physical and give him some space. Sure, Dach could play a bit of that role, but the reality is he is just getting back into game shape and needs a bit of time to get his complete footing before he tries to reassert himself as a hard-hitting power forward, as he’s shown on numerous occasions when healthy with the Canadiens. This is where Bolduc comes in, as a guy who can both score with his great wrister and has a knack for being able to throw the body. If Demidov has two big players who aren’t afraid to hit to give him more room on the ice, this will allow him to start making more plays at even strength.

Not to mention, Bolduc brings a solid two-way game to the table, which is something that Laine doesn’t give to the 2nd line. Demidov still has a lot of work to do in the defensive zone before he can be considered a good defensive player, but over time, he should get there. For the time being, pairing him with a good 2-way player like Bolduc could be someone who allows Demidov more flexibility to have the time to learn to be better on the defensive end in the long run.

While Bolduc’s shot isn’t as good as Laine’s, it is still a very good shot that can easily find the twine, as evidenced by his rookie season last year with the St. Louis Blues. His shot would be a great fit alongside both Demidov and Dach, who are both pass-first type of players. Playing with these guys over a full season could lead to him scoring 25-30 goals pretty easily, especially with just how skilled a passer that Demidov is.

While Laine didn’t seem to work well with Demidov at 5 on 5, Bolduc wasn’t able to do much with Joshua Roy and Alex Newhook. It seems that Bolduc needs to play with an elite playmaker like Robert Thomas or Ivan Demidov to be at his best. During his preseason game, his game almost went completely unnoticed alongside Newhook and Roy.

Therefore, both Demidov and Bolduc need to be tried on the same line to give each other what they need to be the most successful at 5-on-5. For Bolduc, it’s a need for a great playmaker line, Demidov. Meanwhile, the Russian rookie needs someone who can play a good two-way game, be physical and can finish on his passes, which Bolduc can do with his grinding power forward type of game that he brought to the table with the Blues.

Do you think Zachary Bolduc will work well on the opposite wing as Ivan Demidov?