The St. Louis Blues made a hard choice, and the math says they lost. Former first-round pick Zachary Bolduc signed a four-year contract worth $4.2 million annually with the Montreal Canadiens. This move secures the young winger for the Habs through the 2030 season, leaving the Blues with a player they no longer control. Yahoo Sports reported the deal over the weekend, ending months of trade rumors that plagued his time in St. Louis.
The Price of a Bridge Deal
Blues fans remember the 2021 draft well. Bolduc was a high-upside pick who showed flashes of brilliance before the trade. With the Blues, he tallied 24 goals and 45 points across 97 contests, placing eighth in the Calder Trophy ballot. That rookie year looked like a turning point. Yet the organization decided to move on, sending him to Montreal for defenseman Logan Mailloux. The deal filled a need for middle-six depth in Montreal and added youth to the St. Louis blue line.
Now the Habs have locked him up while the Blues are left with a one-year contract for Mailloux. Bolduc will be 27 when he hits unrestricted free agency, a prime age for a physical winger. The Blues gave up a future core piece for a player who must prove his late-season surge was real. It is a gamble that feels heavy on the St. Louis side of the ledger.
A Fresh Start in Canada
Bolduc did not hide his struggles last season, even as he embraced the new team. “There’s no secret that I wasn’t my best (last season) by any means, but overall I am excited for the new opportunity and to be welcomed by a group is always a great compliment,” he said, according to Yahoo Sports NHL. The 23-year-old left-handed winger knows what he has to do. He needs to be a 20-goal scorer on a team with Stanley Cup hopes.
The trade happened on June 27, during the second day of the 2026 NHL Draft. It was a clear shift in direction for both clubs. While the Blues needed young defense, Montreal needed a physical presence. Bolduc fits that role perfectly. He has the size and the skill to be a depth producer. The question now is whether the Blues can get the same value from Mailloux that they lost with Bolduc.
The Mailloux Test
Logan Mailloux was among the best players for the Blues in the final third of the 2025-26 regular season. But he must show he can do it for a full campaign. If he cannot, he risks entering make-or-break territory. The contract he signed is just one year long. It asks him to prove his resurgence is sustainable. Bolduc, meanwhile, gets four years of stability.
The Blues front office took a risk. They bet that a young defenseman could grow faster than a young forward. Bolduc’s new deal proves he was ready to move on. He is happy to be back with coach Monty, noting, “But I really enjoy playing under ‘Monty.I consider him an excellent coach who delivers a powerful message, earning deep respect and making me truly glad to be back together with him. St. Louis fans will watch closely to see if the trade pays off. The numbers say the Canadiens got the better end of the deal so far.
