As of now, there are no official announcements about Zack Bolduc's potential full-time role with the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25, adding an element of suspense to the upcoming season.
However, recent comments from hockey pundits seem to hint at the possibility of seeing Bolduc on a more permanent basis as the team prepares for the next season.
ICYMI: Zack Bolduc has proved that he belongs with Blues — bright white stick and all https://t.co/wtvyJEYUkn #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 11, 2024
"For the second line, we saw a brief glimpse of what Bolduc was capable of. He had five goals and nine points in 25 games. The points per game isn't a huge positive, but five goals in a short span was a good," wrote Todd Panula.
Bolduc's impressive nine points in 25 games are a testament to his potential impact. When you consider his combined stats from the 2023-24 season in St. Louis and his AHL year, it's clear that Bolduc is a player to watch in the upcoming season.
Springfield Thunderbirds:
2023-24: 50 games, 8 goals, 17 assists, 25 points.
"The benefit of this lineup is you give Bolduc more veterans. This line for him would be similar to what Thomas had in 2018-19 when he was with Tyler Bozak and Pat Maroon for a long spell," continued Panula.
Bolduc would undoubtedly gain from playing alongside veteran players.
Robert Thomas and Zach Bolduc developing some nice chemistry. Bolduc is a shooter and pairs nicely with an elite playmaker. All of a sudden they’re a realistic option heading into next season. #stlblues
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) April 14, 2024
Zack Bolduc took advantage of his opportunity at the end of the season
Blues fans saw Bolduc towards the end of the season, and he seems to have taken advantage of his playing time. Compared to another Zachary, Zach Dean, Bolduc appears to be the frontrunner between the two to enter the NHL as a full-timer come 2024-25.
Furthermore, considering the lack of big moves in the offseason, it seems like GM Doug Armstrong's confidence in his current roster is his chosen path. The team appears set to remain largely the same, with the expected entrance of a couple of young prospects.
There are high expectations for Bolduc and Dalibor Dvorsky. It's certainly possible that they both earn their spots on the full-time roster come training camp.