As we are capable, we are starting to sugarcoat the back of a Quebecer from the Canadian. The target of the hour: Zachary Bolduc.
It’s starting to doubt whether he could be part of the core of the future. That he doesn’t have what it takes. That there is not and will be no place for him in Montreal. That we could send him to Laval for his confidence.
First of all, you have every right to think that. I am the first to criticize the Canadian. But here’s why, in this case, I disagree.
Firstly, he is 22 years old. It’s the 10the best scorer in his draft among forwards, after his first 144 games in the NHL.
That doesn’t excuse his youth. With this point I agree. Especially since every match counts for CH, which is engaged in a crazy race, while everything is so close in the Eastern Conference.
More difficult
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Bolduc has been struggling for several weeks. No need for advanced statistics to see this. It has become, like never before, a game of puck possession. And he protects her less well. He doesn’t always send it to a place for his club to keep it.
We saw something else of him before. We saw his speed, his shooting, his offensive flair.
What happened? Is he hiding an injury? Is his head swollen from his fancy linen ad? Does he have intense climbing athlete’s foot? He started to freak out on the little biscuits with Château Frontenac on them? He doesn’t sleep anymore, because it triggers every episode of Colombo at night?
No. That’s not it.
It’s not complicated. He plays with Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Danault. That’s just it. Nothing more.
Valeri Bure and Marcel Hossa
How do you expect him to do anything offensively with those two guys? Even Pavel Bure would look like his brother Valeri. Even Marian would look like Marcel Hossa. Even Wayne Gretzky would look like Brent. Oh no, I’m pushing too far now.
Marcel Hossa (c) of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his game winning goal against the New York Rangers with teammates Richard Zednik (20) and Craig Rivet (R) during third period NHL action in Montreal on January 9, 2003. The Canadiens beat the Rangers 3-2.
REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
The acquisition of Danault is perfect. Just for faceoffs, it’s great.
But we’re not going to hide it, it’s really no longer the same Danault. I thought he had lost speed. It is. He was among the good skaters in the league three years ago. It’s far from it this year when you look at NHL statistics, which measure the speed of each player. Even Gallagher is faster.
For expected goals, scoring chances, time of possession in the offensive zone or zone entries, Danault is not part of the top 5 of CH attackers.
Gallagher’s side continues to go to war. I like to see him on the ice at the end of the game when his team has a slight lead. I think Martin St-Louis knows the veteran is willing to put his teeth in front of a shot if that’s what it takes to win.
But on his side too, it becomes difficult offensively.
Danault’s last goal was in the playoffs last year. He scored twice in the first game against the Oilers. That’s 46 games without scoring. For Gallagher, that’s four goals in 47 games this season.
One against five
And some believed that Zachary Bolduc was going to score with them? The poor guy has to go one to five. He is condemned to die in the corner while these two linemates ensure that the opponent does not lead a counterattack.
It’s perfect, what Danault and Gallagher accomplish. Sportlogiq gave me their advanced statistics. They don’t score a lot, but they don’t get scored either. This is the job we ask of a fourth line. But there, we have two fourth lines.
My point is that there is nothing surprising with Bolduc’s drop in speed. The reverse would be surprising, in fact.
There, Josh Anderson replaced Gallagher on this trio. If you still believe in Josh Anderson’s potential offensively, please get an eye exam. I think he’s more dangerous shorthanded because he doesn’t have to worry.
Always room for talent
When the Canadian has three lines that can score, which is necessary in my opinion to have a club aspiring to great honors, Zachary Bolduc will have an important place. It takes a depth of talent to go far. And he has plenty of talent.
Don’t think either that Alexandre Texier is off to glory on the first trio. Everything can change very quickly.
And I know that doesn’t mean everything. But he’s a good, well-mannered guy, Zachary Bolduc. Yes, he’s a little slobbery and very confident, but that helped him get his way. And he’s a team guy. We know him well back home in Quebec for having been a notable player for the Remparts. He’s the kind of guy you want to bet on.
