Blues May Regret Bolduc Trade to Canadiens
The St. Louis Blues' decision to trade forward Zachary Bolduc to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Logan Mailloux on July 1, 2025, has become a topic of increasing debate among fans and analysts alike. While trades are a common occurrence in the NHL, the early returns suggest that the Blues may have made a significant misstep in parting ways with the young, promising forward.
Bolduc, a first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, had a solid rookie season with the Blues in 2024-25, scoring 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points in 72 games. He ranked fourth among NHL rookies in goals and led all first-year players in differential (plus-20). Despite averaging just 12:48 of ice time, Bolduc showcased his offensive potential and physicality, becoming a valuable contributor to the team. His seven power-play goals highlighted his ability to make an impact with the man advantage.
In contrast, Mailloux, selected 31st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, had a less established NHL resume at the time of the trade. The 22-year-old defenseman had only played in eight NHL games, recording two goals and three assists. While possessing size and a strong shot, Mailloux was viewed as more of a project, needing further development to become a reliable NHL defenseman.
Since joining the Canadiens, Bolduc has quickly become a key piece of their forward group. While he had a "dream start" to the season with three goals and four points in his first three games, he has had a more difficult time maintaining that initial production. Through 12 games with Montreal in the 2025-26 season, Bolduc has recorded 4 goals and 2 assists. His strong start to the season earned him a spot on the top power-play unit. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes praised Bolduc's skating ability, physicality, and offensive potential upon acquiring him. Bolduc himself expressed excitement about joining the Canadiens, as he grew up a fan of the team.
The trade has raised questions about the Blues' long-term vision. While Mailloux addresses a need for a right-handed defenseman, the Blues may have underestimated Bolduc's potential to become a top-six forward. Some analysts argue that the Blues gave up a near "20-goal scorer" for a defenseman who is "more of a project".
It is still early in the season, and Mailloux has time to develop into a valuable asset for the Blues. However, Bolduc's immediate impact on the Canadiens and his potential for further growth suggest that the Blues may have made a trade they will ultimately regret. The Canadiens, on the other hand, appear to have acquired a promising young forward who can contribute to their offense for years to come. Only time will tell who ultimately "wins" the trade, but the initial signs point towards Montreal as the clear victor.
