2021 NHL Draft Profile: Zachary Bolduc Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg1MDUxMTA1NzYwMTkxODMz/bolduc.jpg] BORN Feb. 24, 2003, Trois-Rivieres, Que. 2020-21 Rimouski POS C HT 6-1 WT 174 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 16 With the graduation of Alexis Lafreniere to the NHL, Bolduc was pressed into front-line service with a lower-level team in the QMJHL, and there was a period of adjustment for him. And even though he still averaged better than a point per game, scouts think he has more offense than his totals suggest. “What hurt is that everyone who was focused on Lafreniere last season is focused on him now,” said one scout. “It took him more than half a year to adjust to the kind of attention. The one thing I liked is his compete never stopped. He played hard all year, even early on when the numbers weren’t coming.” The most prominent aspect of his game is his shooting ability. He also has good instincts, which put him in the right areas to use his shot to its highest potential. One scout opined that the 2021 draft doesn’t have a lot of first-line talent in it, so Bolduc is one of many players who falls into the middle-six category in terms of NHL upside. “He doesn’t have the support lever he had last year, but he shows up and just competes every single shift,” said another scout. “He’s got more skill than maybe he’s been able to show this year.” BEST CASE | Yanni Gourde This excerpt is from The Hockey News' Draft Preview issue. Purchase a digital copy of the issue here [https://www.zinio.com/ca/the-hockey-news/console-3416-221230-i503335] or subscribe to The Hockey News here [https://thehockeynews.kckglobal.com/].
