The Canadiens and Blues have swapped young players. Montreal has acquired winger Zachary Bolduc from St. Louis in exchange for defenseman Logan Mailloux. Both teams have announced the deal.
Bolduc was a first-round pick of the Blues back in 2021, going 17th overall. Mailloux, meanwhile, was also a first-round selection in that same draft class, going 14 picks later.
Bolduc is the more experienced player of the two at the NHL level. After getting into 25 games in 2023-24, the 22-year-old was a regular in the lineup for St. Louis last season, chipping in with some solid secondary scoring. He notched 19 goals and 17 assists in 72 games along with 108 hits in a little under 13 minutes a night of ice time during the regular season while adding an assist in seven playoff outings in their first-round loss to Winnipeg.
As for Mailloux, he has been productive in the NHL in very limited action. He got into seven games with the Canadiens last season, notching two goals and two assists. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old played in 63 games with AHL Laval, tallying 12 goals and 21 assists after putting up 47 points in 72 games in his rookie professional campaign. Mailloux also had six points in 13 playoff outings with the Rocket in their run to the final four.
Both players have one year left on their respective entry-level contracts. Mailloux has an AAV of $894K with no performance bonuses in his deal while Bolduc checks in with an AAV of $1.276MM, including $425K in bonuses for the upcoming season. They’ll be restricted free agents next summer.
This is a move where both teams are using their surplus depth to fill a hole. With the Canadiens acquiring Noah Dobson last week, Mailloux’s future with the organization came more into question with Montreal also having top prospect David Reinbacher in the mix on the right side of the back end. Meanwhile, St. Louis has a pair of right-shot veterans on the back end but Justin Faulk only has two years left on his deal, creating an opening for Mailloux to try to play his way into over the next couple of years while also potentially providing them with some extra firepower from the back end. On the other side, St. Louis uses their forward depth to fill their hole on the back end while Montreal picks up a player who can add some grit and skill to their bottom six, replacing Emil Heineman who went to the Islanders in the Dobson trade.
Montreal finally realized that drafting a perv was a bad idea?
Or trading from a position of strength to add in an area that needs help? Mailloux will be a good NHLer. St. Louis will be happy.
Couldn’t agree more, Habs have excess on right D, Blues have excess in young forwards. Hockey trade to the T. Our excess for your excess. And yeah, I hate seeing Bolduc go, but Mailloux looks to be on the breakout. Broberg and Mailloux pairing could be really good for a long time.
Kent Hughes is cooking
Dumb trade by St Louis
You probably thought trading Brendan Shanahan for Chris Pronger was dumb also, didn’t you?
Bolduc was really good for STL. Maybe Mailloux will also be good, but…
Really like the Habs side.
Looks like a good need-for-need deal. Really like STL’s end.
A rather nice pick up by Montreal in getting Zach Bolduc, who was an effective secondary player for St. Louis. Montreal is really building itself up this offseason after making the playoffs this past season. They seem to be looking to take that next step in their progression.
Didn’t like this at first as a Blues fan because I like Bolduc’s game a lot. After reading more about Mailloux this seems like a solid trade for both sides. Each deals a talented young player from a position of strength. Blues needed a RHD badly. Mailloux will get a shot at ice time he wouldn’t have had in Montreal.
Not getting why the Blues would do this.
Defense is old by league standards. Father time is undefeated.
Nice trade for Montreal ! They had too many RD with the acquisition of Dobson.
19 goals and +20 for Bolduc last year
This guy will be a force to be wrecking with. 30 goal guy.
Bolduc has a wicked golden Brett one time laser from the slot and will be missed. Have faith in Armie