Forward Zachary Bolduc made a strong impression in his call-up late in the season and now has a terrific chance of making the Blues out of training camp for the 2024-25 season.
The 17th overall pick by the Blues in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft completed his first pro season this past year, which featured a 25-game stint with the big club. He now has his sights set on making St. Louis’ roster out of training camp.
Zachary Bolduc didn’t light up the AHL in his first pro season after capturing the ultimate prize in major junior hockey in Canada, winning the Memorial Cup with the Québec Remparts in 2023. However, he did score his first pro goal in just his second game with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Bolduc was a prolific scorer in the QMJHL recording back-to-back 50-goal seasons and the quick shooter showcased his skillful release as he rushed down the left side on a 2-on-1, held onto the puck, and picked his spot low far-side. The puck left his blade so quickly that Providence’s goalie didn’t even have time to drop into his butterfly.
The Quebec City native put up 11 points in his first 25 games with St. Louis’ affiliates and then increased his production slightly more with 14 points in the next 25.
Bolduc had eight points in his last nine games before receiving his call-up to make his NHL debut on Feb. 22 against the New York Islanders. He skated on a line with Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours. He was eased into his first game in the show, playing 9:57.
Two nights later he and Blues were in the motor city taking on the Red Wings on his 21st birthday where Brandon Saad found the rookie forward coming down the pipe all alone. Bolduc did the rest scoring his first NHL goal in just his second game, just like he did in the AHL.
Watch that release and shot placement again. Bolduc can generate a ton of power through the flex of his stick by using his hands as a lever with his top hand pulling back towards his body, and his bottom hand pushing out towards his target.
Then there’s the placement. The best shooters in the NHL nowadays are looking to place their shots just above the pads because goalies have a difficult time dropping their hands in time to make the save. He possesses the goal-scoring touch to be a consistent 25-goal scorer.
The Blues last season struggled in the scoring department and we’ve talked on this site that the team is in need of adding a scoring winger. Well, maybe they have that player right in their back pocket, and will only cost them $863k against the cap for the next two years.
Bolduc finished the season with the big club posting a stat line of five goals and four assists in 25 games. He mostly played anywhere between 8 to 11 minutes a night situated on the Blues third line.
That was until Head Coach Drew Bannister gave the young kid a chance by increasing his ice time in the final six games of the season, and a spot on the top line alongside Robert Thomas and Brayden Schenn for the last three games.
Bolduc took advantage of his opportunity and finished the year with three goals and five points, making a statement to the coaching staff and management that he’s ready to make the jump full-time to the NHL.
As it currently stands, St. Louis have 10 NHL-caliber forwards signed for next season, and a spot available in their top nine forward group.
Bolduc oozes confidence and when he’s on his game he can be seen carrying pucks in transition to lead the rush, executing quick give-and-go’s at a high level, and then of course unleashing his high-end shot to put goals on the board for his team.
The Blues have the cap space to go out and acquire a more well-seasoned goal-scorer via trade or signing. But their former first-round pick proved to the club last season that he isn’t far from being a regular contributor in the blue, gold, and white sweater.