'I Thought It Was a Joke': Analyst Reacts to Recent Trade by Kent Hughes and the Canadiens
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One of the most underrated summer acquisitions, not only by Kent Hughes but in the entire NHL this summer, is the one involving Zachary Bolduc.
Acquired in exchange for Logan Mailloux in a trade with the St. Louis Blues, the Quebecer has what it takes to become a solid top-6 player with the Montreal Canadiens.
One has to wonder what Blues GM Doug Armstrong was thinking when he accepted his counterpart's offer.
On that note, the terms of the trade surprised prospect specialist Simon "Snake" Boisvert so much that he thought it was a joke.
Here's what he had to say on July 1 about this trade during his appearance on The Sick Podcast.
"When I saw the trade announced on social media, I thought it was from a fake account. I thought it was a joke.
I like Doug Armstrong as the general manager of the Blues, I think he does a tremendous job.
But really, I don't know what he was thinking."
- Simon "Snake" Boisvert
I like Doug Armstrong as the general manager of the Blues, I think he does a tremendous job.
But really, I don't know what he was thinking."
- Simon "Snake" Boisvert
The same sentiments were also shared on BPM Sports, by analyst David Ettedgui.
"Going out and getting a Quebecer who scored 19 goals in his rookie season. That's impossible!"
- David Ettedgui, BPM Sports
- David Ettedgui, BPM Sports
A 30-Goal Season Is More Than Likely for Zachary Bolduc
In that same podcast episode, Jamie Rivers, who played in the NHL and is now an analyst in St. Louis, mentioned that Bolduc could have easily scored between 25 and 30 goals if Jim Montgomery had been the Blues' head coach for the entire past season.
It's worth remembering that no rookie scored more goals in the NHL last season than him after the Four Nations Face-Off.
"Rookies with the Most Goals After the 4 Nations"
It seems that Montgomery's arrival behind the bench lit an offensive spark for the team.
He could very well do the same with Martin St-Louis, whose style somewhat resembles that of his Montreal counterpart in St. Louis.
Rivers' idea isn't unique either, as many others share the same opinion, including Nicolas Cloutier.
The journalist's reflection is based on what his sources from across the league told him.
"I spoke to scouts who know this better than I do, actually.
These are scouts with no affiliation whatsoever to the Montreal Canadiens, I remind you.
Good talent evaluators, and they told me that in the long run, Zachary Bolduc is a player who can score 25 to 30 goals, 30 goals in a good year, but 25 consistently."
- Nicolas Cloutier
These are scouts with no affiliation whatsoever to the Montreal Canadiens, I remind you.
Good talent evaluators, and they told me that in the long run, Zachary Bolduc is a player who can score 25 to 30 goals, 30 goals in a good year, but 25 consistently."
- Nicolas Cloutier
In the end, it seems Kent Hughes traded a potential 30-goal scorer for a project defenseman.
WOW!
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