The Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues have executed a trade involving young players, with the Canadiens acquiring winger Zachary Bolduc and the Blues obtaining defenseman Logan Mailloux. Both teams confirmed the trade.
Zachary Bolduc, selected 17th overall by the Blues in the 2021 NHL Draft, has seen more action at the NHL level than Mailloux. Over 72 games in the previous season, the 22-year-old forward scored 19 goals and added 17 assists while also demonstrating physical play with 108 hits, averaging just under 13 minutes of ice time. He contributed an assist during the playoffs against Winnipeg in their first-round series.
Conversely, Logan Mailloux, picked 31st overall the same year, has shown potential in limited NHL appearances. He played seven games for the Canadiens last season, registering two goals and two assists. Meanwhile, he proved productive in the AHL, scoring 12 goals and securing 21 assists in 63 games following a successful rookie campaign where he tallied 47 points in 72 matches. Additionally, Mailloux added six points in 13 playoff contests with the Laval Rocket, helping to lead the team to the division finals.
Both players are nearing the final year of their entry-level contracts, with Mailloux’s cap hit at $894K and Bolduc’s at $1.276 million, which includes performance bonuses. They will both become restricted free agents next summer.
This trade reflects strategic movements by both franchises to address their rosters. The Canadiens recently added defenseman Noah Dobson, raising questions about Mailloux’s role in the organization, especially with top prospect David Reinbacher emerging as a potential contributor on the right side of defense. Meanwhile, the Blues, having a surplus of right-shot defensemen, see Mailloux as an opportunity to bolster their back line while trading from their forward depth to acquire a player capable of bringing grit to their lineup, ultimately replacing Emil Heineman, who was sent to the Islanders in the Dobson trade.
Both teams appear optimistic about the potential benefits of this deal for the coming seasons, and it highlights their willingness to adapt to team needs while focusing on the development of their younger players.