Potential Zachary Bolduc Extension Projected By Insider
The Montreal Canadiens appear to be closing in on a new contract with restricted free-agent forward Zachary Bolduc, with an extension expected to be finalized before the team reports for training-camp physicals on Sept. 16.
According to Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, there is no indication that a deal is imminent today, the two sides seem pretty relaxed about the situation, and the holdup isn't causing any consternation on any fronts.
The 22-year-old winger is coming off his entry-level deal and was not eligible for arbitration, though he has been eligible for an offer sheet, if any team had been interested. But the d-man and his agent, Pat Brisson, said calmly, recently, that the matter would “get taken care of soon.”
Bolduc has been more than confident that he'll have a deal in place and that he'll be a big part of the Canadiens for a while.
#Habs Zachary Bolduc on his future in MTL (via RDS)
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) August 17, 2026
"I'd love to play in Montreal for several seasons. But on the other hand, management has to make their own decisions too. Like I said, I'm not going to get ahead of myself on anything, but I trust my agent on that end and I'm… pic.twitter.com/BbfHl1j2fF
"I'd love to play in Montreal for several seasons. But on the other hand, management has to make their own decisions too. Like I said, I'm not going to get ahead of myself on anything, but I trust my agent on that end and I'm confident that good things are coming."
Engels then went on to project just where a deal will land.
Neither Brisson nor the Canadiens are talking about it, but a three-year deal at around $4 million per year makes sense to me.
The hope, he says, is for Bolduc to build on this past season, which saw him post 12 goals and 30 points while registering 170 hits in 78 games in his first year in Montreal, after being acquired from the St. Louis Blues. He notched 19 goals the year before with the Blues, with an impressive plus/minus of +20.
Teammate Nick Suzuki spoke highly of Bolduc, saying "He gained momentum throughout the last season and had some big stretches."
A contract somewhere in the two- to four-year range makes sense for both sides, as he'd be able to re-up on a new deal at a still very young age, after he's had a chance to build up more numbers and more firmly establish himself with more ice time.