Bolduc’s Contract Outlook | Montreal Canadiens News

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has a track record of locking up core players early—but Zachary Bolduc, the 17th overall pick in 2021, may not be next. While Bolduc received a qualifying offer, Montreal is waiting to see more before committing long-term, especially as Mavrik Bourque’s lucrative six-year deal with Nashville (a similar role, higher draft position) could influence negotiations. Bolduc’s 30 points in 78 games come with playoff fourth-line minutes and healthy scratches—making him a lower-priority target for big contracts right now. With the cap rising, Hughes might consider locking him in sooner to control future costs, but the lack of hype and positional uncertainty makes a long-term deal unlikely for now. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/9c4f4de05f02c517