In a flurry of moves heading into training camp, the Montréal Canadiens locked down one of their best playoff performers in Zachary Bolduc. The four-year deal offers the winger $4.2 million per season until 2030. The Canadiens have gotten in early on the Bolduc stakes, and the term and cost fit well with what the team needs.
The more that teams sign RFAs as training camp approaches, the clearer it is that the Canadiens got a good deal for term with Bolduc.
In July 2025, Bolduc came over to the Canadiens from the St. Louis Blues in a 1:1 trade for Logan Mailloux. The Canadiens landed a winger who would be able to step into the NHL lineup after Mailloux had spent most of his time with the Canadiens AHL affiliate in Laval. Bolduc's time with the Blues saw him jump from nine points in 25 games to 36 points in 72 games.
The Canadiens didn't quite get the same level of production from Bolduc in the 2025-26 season, but he wasn't far off. He saw 78 games with the Canadiens, putting up 12 goals and 18 assists for a total of 30 points. He had three goals in his first three games, but his production stagnated, and the team even scratched him a couple of times throughout the season.
It was his playoff performance that redeemed Bolduc for the Canadiens and likely earned him his new contract with the team. He played all 19 games with the team, contributing seven points and leading all forwards in hits in the postseason.
The Canadiens clearly think that the Bolduc they saw in the playoffs is something re-creatable in the regular season.
The Bolduc extension continues to show the value of term
PuckPedia has Bolduc listed as a third-line winger, and even if he stays producing at that level, this is a good deal for the Canadiens. Compared to other third-line right wingers in the NHL, Bolduc's contract is the sixth highest. He put up more points in the 2025-26 season than others above him on the list, including Yegor Sharangovich and Kiefer Sherwood (though Sherwood did suffer an injury).
However, Bolduc may not find himself on the third line for long. Bolduc did spend some time on the first line due to injury, and could see himself back up there or at least on the second line. If that's the case, this deal is even more valuable for the Canadiens, as most second-line wingers have higher cap hits.
Among the Canadiens' contracts, Bolduc's is a great value as well. Newhook, who PuckPedia also lists as playing on the third line, signed a new deal around the same time as Bolduc for $5.5 million. In the 2027-28 season, only two currently signed forwards will be making less than Bolduc.
Zachary Bolduc is a young player with a high ceiling. If he finds it in the next couple of years, this deal will look like a steal for the Canadiens. But even if he doesn't, the Canadiens won't find themselves too down on their luck with his contract.
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