Martin St-Louis and Canadiens Set to Give Zachary Bolduc a Big Opportunity

According to the latest projections from the specialized site Daily Faceoff, the Trois-Rivières native is expected to slot into Martin St-Louis' top six, alongside Ivan Demidov and Kirby Dach.

While not a far-fetched scenario, this would be a golden opportunity for Bolduc to establish himself as a full-time NHL player.

Drafted 17th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2021 and later acquired by the Canadiens in a trade, Bolduc has shown steady progress-scoring 21 goals in 48 games with the Laval Rocket last season, while earning multiple call-ups to the big club.

This opportunity is even more significant as it coincides with the arrival of another highly anticipated player in Montreal: Ivan Demidov.

Widely considered one of the most electrifying prospects making the leap to the NHL this year, the young Russian-drafted 5th overall in 2024-will bring speed, creativity, and offensive flair to a team hungry for production.

In the projected lineup, Bolduc would play left wing, with Demidov on the right and Dach at center.

That said, this depends on whether the Canadiens make a move to solidify the center position. Dach, returning from a long rehab after a knee injury, showed during the 2023-2024 season that he can handle major responsibilities when healthy.

Still, there remains uncertainty at center. General manager Kent Hughes hasn't ruled out adding a veteran to strengthen the core of the offense. But unless a move is made, the current Plan A clearly includes Bolduc in an offensive role right from opening night.

As training camp approaches, the pressure will be real for a player who grew up just a few hours from the Bell Centre. But in an organization now focused on long-term development and patience, Zachary Bolduc will have a genuine opportunity to prove he belongs as a regular in the NHL.