One of the biggest momentum shifts from last season's improbable playoff run and the misfortune of this 2025-26 campaign was a key trade. The St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens swapped forward Zack Bolduc and Logan Mailloux, with the Blues getting the blueliner.
At the start of this season, it seemed like the Canadiens completely won this trade, as Bolduc was continuing to show his blossoming skills for his new squad. Mailloux endured some really rough patches of growing pains, and he was scratched a number of times. Blues head coach Jim Montgomery used a lot of different combinations for the entire lineup, but it seemed like No. 23 was moved around the most to just try to get some kind of momentum going.
Now, if you look at this trade from nearly a full-season look, it paints a different picture. A clear-cut winner cannot be declared at this time, but the script might have switched now.
Looking at the trade
Looking at it now, Mailloux has three goals and three assists for six points in 53 games this season. As of late, he has played well over 20 minutes a night, earning some top-four defenseman minutes. This most recent contest against Calgary saw No. 23 skate the most in his NHL-career, with 26:56 of ice-time, following the injury to Tyler Tucker.
Bolduc has had a bit more of a respectable season, with 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points in 66 games this season. He started the year off strong with a three-game goal streak to start the year. But, he has not scored a goal in 29 straight games, stemming back to right before Christmas. He did contribute nine assists in that time, though.
No clear winner yet?
As of right now, it is still too early to tell. It could take years to officially declare a winner for this swap, but for now, it is not as black-and-white as initially thought. The Blues have some serious upside with Mailloux if he can continue to play solid hockey. And the same goes for Bolduc and Montreal, who could be a crucial part of a tandem with Cole Caufield.