Zachary Bolduc’s next contract is already turning into one of the Canadiens’ more intriguing talking points, and the number floating around is a big one: $5 million per season.
Not everyone is buying that price tag, though. TVA Sports journalist Renaud Lavoie said this week, in a discussion with Alexandre Lanctôt, that he has a hard time believing Kent Hughes and the Canadiens will go there just yet.
Bolduc is still without a deal for next season, which has opened the door to plenty of speculation about what comes next. The real question is whether Montreal would go with a bridge deal or commit long term - and, if it does, what kind of salary would be attached.
Some around the conversation think the Quebec native could land as much as $5 million a year. Lavoie pushed back on that idea, pointing to Bolduc’s uneven rookie season and the way he finished last year on the fourth line while still searching for his identity.
That’s the heart of the debate. Bolduc has to show he’s ready for that kind of money before he gets it. And with a contract that size comes heavier expectations, especially for a young player still working through his development.
The local angle only adds to it. Bolduc is from Quebec, and Montreal is always a demanding market for a well-paid hometown player.
At the same time, the Canadiens paid a steep price to bring him in, so they also need to give him real ice time and a chance to grow into an important piece of their future.
For now, the sense is that the salary will come later - once Bolduc proves his value.
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