Projecting Zachary Bolduc’s Next Contract with the Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have already taken care of several important pieces of their young core over the last 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 plenty of stability moving forward. 

After a promising first season with the Canadiens, Zachary Bolduc has shown that he has the talent to become 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.

A Bridge Deal 

The most likely outcome would probably be a bridge deal. While Bolduc enjoyed a very encouraging season, he still has relatively little NHL experience compared to many players signing long-term extensions.

The Canadiens also have several young forwards fighting for top-six roles. Demidov, Slafkovsky, Caufield, Newhook and Suzuki are all expected to play significant minutes over the coming years. Because of that, Montreal may prefer to wait before committing to a lengthy contract until they have a clearer picture of exactly where Bolduc fits in both the short and long term.

A two or three-year bridge contract would benefit both parties. Bolduc would have an opportunity to prove himself. At the same time, the Canadiens would gain more information before making a major financial commitment. Hughes has shown patience throughout his tenure as general manager. While he has signed several players long term, those extensions generally came after the organization had a strong understanding of each player’s role. With Bolduc, another couple of seasons could answer any remaining questions.

What Would the 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 around $3 million per season appears to be a realistic number. That would reward Bolduc for his progress while still reflecting the fact that he has not yet established himself over multiple NHL seasons.

A cap hit around that number would also remain very manageable for Montreal as the salary cap continues to increase. It would leave the Canadiens with plenty of flexibility while Bolduc continues to develop. If, however, both sides decide to bypass the bridge contract and commit to a longer-term extension, another interesting comparable already exists.