Blues Trade Bolduc for Mailloux

Photo: NHL.com

The St. Louis Blues acquired RHD Logan Mailloux from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for LW Zack Bolduc.

Mailloux, a 2021 first-round pick, has appeared in eight NHL games, scoring two goals and adding three assists.

Bolduc is the more proven player, coming off a breakout 19-goal season under the coaching of Jim Montgomery. Also a 2021 first-round pick, Bolduc found a home on the third line with Oskar Sundqvist and Mathieu Joseph.

For the Blues, this move is about taking a position that is a strength and using it to fix a weakness. The Blues have a myriad of long-term options on the wing, including Jordan Kyrou, Dylan Holloway, Pavel Buchnevich, Jake Neighbours and Jimmy Snuggerud. They also just drafted RW Justin Carbonneau with the 19th overall pick in Friday's draft. Add Dalibor Dvorsky needing a spot to play, and Bolduc became expendable.

Mailloux is going to add size and, hopefully, stability to the right side of the blue line. Behind the surging Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk, there was no long-term fit at RD3. Matthew Kessel, PO Joseph, Tyler Tucker, Ryan Suter and Scott Perunovich all saw time at the position throughout the season.

Mailloux is a big body, 6'3" and 212 lbs., and needed a change of scenery. His defensive game isn't on the same level as his offense is yet, but he's a cheaper option than someone like Noah Dobson. It was Montreal that ended up with Dobson, and he and David Reinbacher are the two that make Mailloux the odd-man-out.

Many Blues fans are unhappy with the move for now, and maybe the team could've gotten an additional pick instead of a one-for-one swap. However, word is that Mailloux is highly regarded across the league and fixes a need for the Blues.

Both players are young and impressionable. Time will tell how this deal plays out.