A surprising $42 million restricted free agent contract projection emerges for the Canadiens
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Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens have clearly gotten back to work.
Beyond the potential acquisitions to explore, Hughes also has to take care of signing his own players.
Let’s focus on the first one here.
Bolduc, a restricted free agent with the Canadiens, remains unsigned. And a new projection has reignited the debate.
The total exceeds $42 million.
It’s a surprising number, and one that is drawing as much skepticism as curiosity.
Few observers believe the Canadiens would make that kind of long-term commitment right now, at least.
Zachary Bolduc’s uncertain Canadiens role could shape his next contract
The real issue is the uncertainty surrounding his role.
Bolduc could just as easily crack the top six as find himself on an energy fourth line.
And Martin St-Louis doesn’t appear to see him near the top of his lineup right now. That uncertainty naturally complicates negotiations.
At 23, Bolduc is coming off a 30-point season.
In his case, everything will depend on the role Montreal envisions for him. If the Canadiens see him as a top-six player, a $42 million contract becomes more realistic.
If not, the discussion gets closer to the type of contract Jake Evans received, taking inflation into account, of course.
So, how much do you think Zachary Bolduc is worth?
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A surprising $42 million restricted free agent contract projection emerges for the Canadiens
Does Zachary Bolduc deserve a long-term contract from the Canadiens right now?