Before taking on his current role as executive vice-president of hockey operations for the Montreal Canadiens, Jeff Gorton served as an analyst on NHL Network. Four months prior to joining the Canadiens, during a draft broadcast, Gorton was offering his insights on prospects being selected.
It was when Zachary Bolduc was drafted 16th overall by the St. Louis Blues that Gorton, previously the general manager of the New York Rangers, showed particular interest.
“Beautiful skater, lots of talent here,” Gorton commented at the time. He highlighted Bolduc`s junior career, mentioning he played with Alexis Lafreniere (the 2020 first-overall pick for the Rangers) and scored 30 goals as a 16-year-old, indicating he had been on the radar for some time. Gorton also noted that while Bolduc might be slightly undersized, developing more size and strength could establish him as a genuine top-six player for a team.
This past Tuesday, shortly after NHL free agency commenced, Gorton and Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes made a strategic move, betting that Bolduc could become that impactful player for their organization.
Bolduc, now 22, has reportedly increased his physical size since his draft year. The Canadiens aren`t necessarily expecting him to immediately step into a top-six forward role in Montreal.
In his past season with the Blues, Bolduc contributed 19 goals and 36 points across 72 games, primarily playing on the fourth line. The Canadiens would likely be satisfied if he can replicate similar production next season while filling a bottom-six position.
Emil Heineman, a six-foot-two, 23-year-old forechecking winger who recorded 10 goals and 18 points in 62 games last season, was part of the recent trade package that brought Noah Dobson to Montreal. There`s a prevalent feeling, both within and outside the Canadiens organization, that Bolduc effectively replaces the contribution lost with Heineman`s departure.
An executive from a Western Conference team shared a positive assessment via text message, describing Bolduc: “Good skills, doesn`t cheat the game, puck follows him, good hockey brain.” The executive also added, “He`s got size, too,” indicating his improved physicality.
Similarly, a scout contacted on Tuesday afternoon remarked that Bolduc possesses a higher offensive ceiling compared to Heineman. The scout also noted that Bolduc brings “some edge there, as well,” referring to a physical or competitive element in his play.
These external comments align with General Manager Kent Hughes` own remarks to the media shortly after the trade was announced. Hughes stated, “We really saw an improvement in terms of (Bolduc’s) physical play and physical implication over the course of the year, and that was something important to us.”
Tristan Blackwood