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In an effort to bolster their future offensive core and fill their needs at the center position despite having limited finances, the Canadiens have pulled off a double shot. Not only have they signed the dynamic power forward Chris Kreider to a one-year contract worth just $2.15 million, but they have also made it known that they have signed a four-year deal with the promising young forward Zack Bolduc worth $16.8 million. While the 35-year-old Kreider will bring his leadership, net-fronting abilities, and playoff experience to the team, he has declined better financial packages from other teams.
In addition to his goal production, the former World Champion has plenty of veteran leadership, foot speed, and power-play presence to solidify the team’s recently strengthened forward unit. Reuniting with Martin St. Louis, who is now his head coach and former teammate, Kreider’s role will provide scoring stability among the middle six line pairs. Bolduc, 23, joining the club from the outset at an AAV of $4.2M per season, is now a key structural center-ice piece through his prime years.
The forward, who hails from Quebec, showed clear positive development and growth in his game last season and took a bit of a hometown discount to play with his former teammate, coach Martin St.
Louis, and offered a greater offensive ceiling. Players like Bolduc, who was well-known for his powerful shot, fast release, and early development on both sides of the puck, now had an additional four years of control for the majority of his career. As the team gets ready for the upcoming season, these roster changes also highlight the franchise’s strategic balance of affordable youthful upside and veteran savvy.
Source: Official NHL Announcement / Sportsnet / Associated Press
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