The journey from promising prospect to NHL mainstay is rarely a smooth ride, and Zachary Bolduc’s recent experiences with the Montreal Canadiens prove just how unpredictable—and demanding—that path can be.

At just 22, Bolduc finds himself navigating a maze of expectations, surprising setbacks, and a defensive system that’s far more complex than outsiders might realize. Behind the scenes, a quiet but intense transformation is underway, driven by the relentless standards of head coach Martin St-Louis.

What happens when a young forward, celebrated for his offensive flair, is suddenly challenged to rethink everything he knows about the game? How does a player cope when the spotlight shifts and every mistake is magnified? In candid moments, Bolduc has opened up about the unique pressures and learning curves he’s facing, hinting at the mental and physical battles waged far from the public eye.

But there’s more to this story than just growing pains. With resilience, humility, and a hunger to improve, Bolduc is determined to write his own chapter in Montreal—a chapter that could soon take an unexpected turn. What’s really going on behind closed doors, and what does the future hold for this young talent? The answers might surprise you.

Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis and Zachary Bolduc

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

Zachary Bolduc must adapt to the Montreal Canadiens’ defensive system – a learning process that’s proving more difficult than he imagined.

The 22-year-old is beginning to realize that for Martin St-Louis, it’s not just about scoring.

“I think his defensive details are much better than they were at the start of camp,” St-Louis said cautiously, responding skillfully. “I liked his intentions. It’s encouraging.”

– Martin St-Louis

After a “decent” training camp, he started the regular season on the Canadiens’ second line.

After 3 goals in 3 games, Sky was the limit.

It only took a few more games – and especially the loss of his linemate Kirby Dach – for Bolduc to find himself on the fourth line.

Bolduc is still a young player, and it’s unrealistic to expect him to score in every game.

Zachary Bolduc admits the Canadiens’ man-to-man system isn’t easy to grasp

Whether on or off the ice, there have been many changes in recent months for the former first-round pick of the Blues in 2017.

In an interview with TVA Sports, Bolduc spoke candidly about this adjustment phase.

“There are a lot of things I can improve, including positioning,” he admitted.

“The system of play is a bit different [from that of the St. Louis Blues]. We used zone coverage in our own end, and here it’s man-to-man.

The man-to-man – it sounds simple when you say it like that, but it’s more difficult than people think.”

– Zachary Bolduc, via TVA sports

Indeed, playing man-to-man coverage may seem easy from our living room, but on the ice, it’s a bit more Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Despite that, he keeps his head up and seems ready to do whatever it takes to regain his coach’s confidence.

Personally, I think it’s cool to see a 22-year-old guy own up to his weaknesses – it shows maturity and character.

In my opinion, in a few weeks he’ll be back on the second line.

And maybe, just maybe, we’ll see him playing alongside a certain Ivan Demidov.