Latest news with #ZachBolduc
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could Ivan Demidov Be The Canadiens' Second Line Center?
Generations of kids spent their childhood trying to answer the question 'Where's Waldo?', but that was an easy task compared to trying to answer the interrogation that's on the mind of every Montreal Canadiens' fan this offseason: Who will be the Habs' second line center? Depending on who you ask, the replies go from Kirby Dach to Zach Bolduc to 'Kent Hughes is just about to pull a big trade, I can feel it!' or even to: Ivan Demidov would be the perfect fit at the second line pivot. Advertisement Islanders' Sorokin Shocked By Dobson's Trade To The Canadiens Canadiens' 2025-26 Schedule Revealed Ex-Canadiens Goalie Signed NHL's Most Unique Off-Season Deal But what does the man himself believe? Well, unlike what has been reported in the last day or so, Demidov has never said that it was outside of the realm of possibilities that he would play center and that it wasn't something that interested him at all. According to Marco D'Amico, the young Russian said he would have to see if he could play at center. He has done it in the past, as a junior player, but never in the KHL. Humble as they come, Demidov also added that face-offs would be the key factor, and he doesn't always win them. The rookie will play wherever the Canadiens ask him to play, but he's not confident that he could play center in the NHL. He didn't say anything controversial, and any claims that he might have an attitude problem are false. He didn't refuse to work on his draws this offseason either. Advertisement I don't know how the idea could even be entertained given the fact that the player has elected to stay in Montreal this Summer and is diligently putting in the hours at the Canadiens' Brossard training facilities instead of enjoying the sunshine and the scorching weather. Last weekend, he even appeared in a shootout showcase in Boisbriand to please the fans, and he's also set to play in the Living Sisu LSHL three-on-three league this Summer. Could Demidov end up being the Canadiens' second-line center? Maybe, but right now, it doesn't seem likely, especially given the fact that the youngster typically doesn't lack confidence, and he confesses he doesn't know how good he could be playing that position. Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story. Advertisement Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @ and Threads @karinehains. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens. Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
New York Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NHL trade grades: Canadiens and Blues swap intriguing prospects
Canadiens get: Right winger Zach Bolduc Blues get: Defenseman Logan Mailloux Corey Pronman: Bolduc had a very positive season, following up a so-so first pro campaign by making the Blues and helping them win games. Bolduc's always had impressive talent, which is why he was a mid-first-round pick. He's a strong skater with very good hands and offensive IQ and a big-time shot from range. The issues in his game have always been without the puck. I don't think that's his calling card by any means, but he showed notable improvement this season in particular by getting to the inside more and not being afraid of contact. The steps he's taken this season have him looking like a clear middle-six wing. Advertisement Mailloux had another great year in the AHL, being a top player for Laval. Mailloux has an exciting toolkit. He's a big right-shot defenseman who skates well and has legit skill. On his best shifts when he's carrying the puck up ice, or launching a bomb from the point, he looks like a top-four defenseman in the NHL. With his reach, feet and some physicality, he's a solid enough defender too. Mailloux's biggest issue is his hockey sense. He makes iffy decisions with and without the puck and it could hold him back from being a legit big-minute defenseman in the NHL. His talent is good enough that he should be a regular NHLer. He's stayed out of trouble of late since his draft year suspension. Overall, I have Bolduc rated slightly higher. Mailloux plays a more premium position and is toolsier, and while neither is a perfect player, the holes in Mailloux's game are slightly more glaring. This move makes sense for Montreal in light of the Noah Dobson deal and being able to procure a quality young player is ideal. From the Blues' perspective, they've drafted a lot of wingers high, including just a few days ago, and I understand the dice roll on a talented defenseman. I'm sure they are hoping in some way they are selling high on Bolduc given his very up-and-down play in recent years. Canadiens grade: B+ Blues grade: B- (Photo of Zach Bolduc: Jeff Curry / Imagn Images)
New York Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Blues trade Zach Bolduc to Canadiens for defenseman Logan Mailloux
The St. Louis Blues traded young forward Zach Bolduc to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Logan Mailloux on Tuesday, who was the No. 31 overall pick in 2021. Mailloux, 22, the No. 31 pick in 2021, has played in just eight NHL games and has two goals and five points. Bolduc, also 22, was the No. 17 pick in 2021. He has 24 goals and 45 points in 97 games and had a breakout season in 2024-25 with 19 goals and 36 points. In 63 games with the AHL's Laval Rocket, Mailloux had 12 goals and 33 points. He's 6-foot-3, 213 pounds and is a right shot. This story will be updated. (Photo of Logan Mailloux)
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NHL Playoffs: St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and predictions
NHL Playoffs: St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and predictions The St. Louis Blues take on the Winnipeg Jets in Game 2 of this best-of-7 series in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Monday. Puck drop from Canada Life Centre is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NHL odds around the Blues vs. Jets odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions. Season series: Jets lead 1-0 after 5-3 Game 1 win Saturday The Blues had it in their grasps, but rookie mistakes that led to shifted momentum gave Winnipeg the opening it needed to break through. The Blues were up 3-2 before RW Zach Bolduc was called for a cross-checking penalty during a power play in the third period. That really gave the Jets some steam, and they tied the game a few minutes later and went ahead 4-3 with about 90 seconds to go. The Blues had an astounding 53 hits and were the better team for the first half of the game, but they failed to close it out. RW Jordan Kyrou and C Robert Thomas each scored on the power play, but the Blues only had 1 SOG in the final period. LW Kyle Connor is a Blues killer and had 1 goal and 2 assists in Game 1. G Connor Hellebuyck is going to need to tighten up, though, as he allowed 3 goals on 17 shots. Granted, 2 of them were on the power play, but that showed a weakness in what is arguably the best goalie in the sport. Structurally, though, the Jets really tightened up later in the game, and they took advantage of St. Louis' inexperience. You have to wonder how much the Blues' 53 hits took out of them, though. Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team's out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now! Blues at Jets odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:21 p.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : Blues +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Jets -190 (bet $190 to win $100) : Blues +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Jets -190 (bet $190 to win $100) Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS) : Blues +1.5 (-165) | Jets -1.5 (+140) : Blues +1.5 (-165) | Jets -1.5 (+140) Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +118 | U: -140) Blues at Jets projected goalies Jordan Binnington (28-22-5, 2.69 GAA, .900 SV%, 3 SO in regular season) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (47-12-3, 2.01 GAA, .925 SV%, 8 SO in regular season) Binner stopped 21 of 25 in the Game 1 loss, and MoneyPuck didn't grade his performance well as he is a -1.8 in goals saved above expected. His defense didn't play very well in front of him as D Colton Parayko showed signs of rust in just his third game back from injury. Regardless, his back is against the wall in this one as they'll need a monstrous performance to even it up. Hellebuyck was also a -1.2 goals saved above expected in Game 1. He'll need to shore things up as the Blues were expected for 1.82 goals and netted 3. He is getting beat top shelf on both sides. The first period will be a huge litmus test for a goalie that has playoff ghosts. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Blues at Jets picks and predictions Prediction Blues 4, Jets 3 This is Game 7 for the Blues. They need to steal one of these to make it a series, and the books have also accounted for that. Winnipeg was -210 in Game 1, and it's -190 here. I look for the Blues to continue making Winnipeg black and blue with hits and finding a way to get this done in overtime. Take the BLUES (+160). We cashed a +135 puck line for the Jets here in Game 1, but this one will be a slugfest I see ending within a goal. So we're going with JORDAN KYROU OVER 2.5 SHOTS (-110). He has 4, 4, 5 and 5 the last 4 games, and his confidence is on another level right now. The Blues shifted LW Jake Neighbours down to his line and put rookie winger Jimmy Snuggerud on the top line. Neighbours is more of a net-front presence, and they'll be looking to feed Rouzy. I was a little surprised we had 4 goals in the first period of Game 1. This feels like an Under kind of series with the 2 netminders. For Game 2, I love the OVER 5.5 (+118). This is going to get messy early on. I could see a fight breaking out within the first 5 minutes as the Blues try to get into the Jets' heads to capitalize. The Over feels safe at plus-money here. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow @rdodsonsports on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
