What if Bolduc scores 40 this season?

[LGB73]

I didn't like the asset we gave away for an unproven defensemen that clearly had some questions about his defensive play. That being said, it won't really affect Army's legacy(and it shouldn't) nor will we be able to put a final grade on it this year or even next. Lots of layers here that need to play out over a couple seasons: How does Bolduc play/develop? How does Mailloux play/develop? How do other assets that could have been traded for Mailloux play/develop?

I'll be happy if Bolduc plays well, because I liked him as a Blue. I'll be unhappy if Mailloux has a bad season, but I won't think it's the end of the world and the kid can flip the light switch next or the following year and be good. Fine to have short term perspective on the deal but need to temper it because these are young players that have/need time to see if they hit their potential.

[a smell of green grass]

A distinct possibility, as over the last 30 games (not counting playoffs), Bolduc's goal scoring pace has been among the best in the league. His
current pace over those 30 games is in the high 40s.

Army will have destroyed his career over this one trade; it would go down in history as one of the worst ever. I'd hate to see that happen.

The Army Mom's will ALWAYS have Army's back, and BlueTalk is the Mother's Club.

Most Blues fans won't "see or care" about Bolduc's heroics unless he becomes the next Ovechkin.

All that said, I don't care what most fans think. What matters to me is WHY BOLDUC WAS UNDERESTIMATED?
1. What scout gave that analysis?
2. What is different in Montreal that made him thrive?

Regarding the future, the problems continue unless we figure out 1 and 2.

[The Average Gatsby]

Even if this trade turns out to be a bad one it won’t really hurt army’s reputation. He’s a HOF GM and the cup win cemented his legacy.

[somni]

Well, I'll be happy if Bolduc gets to 40...I like the Habs. And it doesn't really affect the Blues at all, especially with Montreal being in the Eastern Conference.

I can't believe this is a topic of conversation after less than week since the start of the season. Wait...I can actually can believe it.

[callitwhatyouwant]

What IF? I dunno I guess the habs would be happy right? Bolduc would be pretty happy because he will get a big payday.

I don't know why there are multiple threads on this one topic less than a week into the hockey season. Those of us that watched Bolduc over the last few years really liked him. But, if you were given an option to make a trade and the option was to trade Snuggs, Neighbours, Hollywood, or Bolduc. Most would have landed on Bolduc. Neighbours and Hollywood are 100 percent culture guys. They never stop talking about Neighbours eventually wearing a letter. And Snuggs has more hype on his all around game than Bolduc.

I really wasn't happy when we traded Bolduc. But to get you have to give. This is probably going to be the most tired discussion of all time. It's already gotten out of hand. Now when Bolduc has a slump, you will have 5-7 threads commenting on that. As well as some village idiots saying that Army has bad talent evaluation and that's why Bolduc is no good anymore. It's a bummer.

[Harry S Deals]

Even if this trade turns out to be a bad one it won’t really hurt army’s reputation. He’s a HOF GM and the cup win cemented his legacy.

It could take two seasons for Logan Mailloux to put it together Ive seen it over and over with defenseman. Even if down the road Mailloux is a solid 3rd pair RHD guys i'd still make that trade


Broberg Parayko
Lindstein Jiricek
LHD Mailloux

[Nublues69]

Even if this trade turns out to be a bad one it won’t really hurt army’s reputation. He’s a HOF GM and the cup win cemented his legacy.

It could take two seasons for Logan Mailloux to put it together Ive seen it over and over with defenseman. Even if down the road Mailloux is a solid 3rd pair RHD guys i'd still make that trade


Broberg Parayko
Lindstein Jiricek
LHD Mailloux

remember when we traded shanny for pronger. Not saying this is close to that but it took pronger a year or so

[WilliamWestcliffe]

A distinct possibility, as over the last 30 games (not counting playoffs), Bolduc's goal scoring pace has been among the best in the league. His
current pace over those 30 games is in the high 40s.

Army will have destroyed his career over this one trade; it would go down in history as one of the worst ever. I'd hate to see that happen.

Why do you care? The Blues as an organization decided to move on from Bolduc. Matter of fact they decided to accelerate his departure from the organization and that by the way is very telling.

Not entirely true. They tried to jettison Jordan Kyrou to acquire help elsewhere and make space for up and coming young talent, including Bolduc.

When that failed, they had to pivot to plan B and panicked into a lopsided trade.

Acquiring an above average prospective RHD is a good move.
Moving Bolduc if you can't free up the logjam ahead of him is a reasonable and logical backup plan.
Moving Bolduc for Mailoux is not good asset management.
Making that trade from a position of weakness and rushing into it this offseason was a very bad move.

We should have been more patient; especially if everyone agrees that Mailoux doesn't provide immediate value. Why rush into that trade? It's quite possible Mailuox would also be available later this year or next and probably at a vastly discounted cost.

Meanwhile, you could have given Bolduc another year to see what you have. God knows our 3RW could desperately use him right now and my god what would Bolduc's trade value have been at the TDL or offseason after this year?

[WilliamWestcliffe]

Then it could only be interpreted as an awful trade. Time will have to tell though.

At least with Tage, we got a cup.

Next season, what if Snuggerud scores 30-40. What if Neighbours scores 25 ish again and Holloway scores 30? How do the Blues keep all the scoring forwards they have

That would have been [fork]ing awesome! Imagine the caliber of defenseman we could have acquired at the TDL or in the offseason if those assets, including Bolduc popped like that?

[WilliamWestcliffe]

If Bolduc scores 40 hes going to get a massive long term deal and it would again blow apart the "Top 5" draft, tank blah blah blah. We know Bolduc is going to do well because the Blues drafted and developed him.
The Blues have Kyrou, Buch, Holloway, Snuggerud and Neighbours who will also be getting paid. Cant keep em' all, get ready because Bolduc wont likely be the last popular Blues kid thats dealth

I'm going to keep asking this question until someone can give a valid answer: What was the rush to make that trade this past offseason?

[wiscrev]

If Bolduc scores 82 goals this year, and Mailloux finishes at -50, I will wear a hat that says "Smelly was right".

Now, can we stop constantly hyperventilating over every goal or defensive misplay until we get to that point, please?

You mean you will never stop kissing Army's behind, because neither of those two things is going to happen.

Wow! Just like your dad; a FOOL!

[amp]

If Bolduc scores 40 hes going to get a massive long term deal and it would again blow apart the "Top 5" draft, tank blah blah blah. We know Bolduc is going to do well because the Blues drafted and developed him.
The Blues have Kyrou, Buch, Holloway, Snuggerud and Neighbours who will also be getting paid. Cant keep em' all, get ready because Bolduc wont likely be the last popular Blues kid thats dealth

I'm going to keep asking this question until someone can give a valid answer: What was the rush to make that trade this past offseason?

We can only speculate but I'll take a crack at this.

The Blues evaluated their roster and saw a need. Better young right side defense that can grow into a top-4 role to push the veterans. They also saw that Bolduc, though promising and having had a strong season, was part of a crowded forward group who's value was high after the breakout year. Meanwhile, Mailloux became more “available” once Montreal added Noah Dobson. That made Mailloux surplus in Montreal, opening the chance for a Blues trade. Given that, Army decided it was better to act quickly, to get Mailloux while his value is high (but not so high that the price would be extreme), while trading Bolduc while his stock is good. If they waited, either Mailloux might get more NHL games, elevating his trade value, or Bolduc’s value might fall (or other teams step in, bidding up the price). Lastly, the Blues are very good at player development (maybe better than Montreal) and wanted to get him on the roster so WE develop him and he becomes more "home grown".

Again, we may never know for sure but this seems like a plausible scenario.

[callitwhatyouwant]

If Bolduc scores 40 hes going to get a massive long term deal and it would again blow apart the "Top 5" draft, tank blah blah blah. We know Bolduc is going to do well because the Blues drafted and developed him.
The Blues have Kyrou, Buch, Holloway, Snuggerud and Neighbours who will also be getting paid. Cant keep em' all, get ready because Bolduc wont likely be the last popular Blues kid thats dealth

I'm going to keep asking this question until someone can give a valid answer: What was the rush to make that trade this past offseason?

I think the Blues were hoping Kessel could keep growing even if its just a little bit at a time and they would have been fine standing pat. His drop in his game early last year compared to the previous year was probably the shot across the bow that he never really was going to be anything other than the 6/7 guy and Tucker is that. Can't have 2 6/7 guys for 2 years in a row. We were absolutely lucky a 40 year old Suter could play a whole season last year. That was 100 percent not in the cards and would have probably cost a lot of people some jobs.

Now you have multiple D prospects and multiple O prospects. There's a path forward for all of them. Lindstein, Jiricek, and Mailloux can all fill out the roster if it works out and they prove to be NHLer's. I think its clear Carbs/Stenberg/Dvorsky at the very least are NHL capable. And then you have have a handful of other guys that are almost for sure bottom 6 guys. If Carbs and Dvorsky hit as top 6 guys, there just isn't room for everyone. So while trading this year wasn't mandatory, I'm sure the Blues were a little scared of what the prospect of having to play Kessel and Tucker every night meant.

[Plagers4Ever]

What if Bolduc scores 40 this season? I will be thrilled for him. I really hope he does! As he progressed last year, he became one of my favorite Blues due to his production and style of play.

When I first heard about the trade I was VERY disappointed! Obviously, I do not find joy when one of my favorites is traded, waived, or not re-signed.

Do I think it was a bad trade? Ask me in two to three years!!! It may take that long to be accurately determined. I am not an NHL coach, scout, or similar.I am not qualified to make that evaluation now. I literally was not familiar whatsoever with Mailloux. Time will tell.

[netboy65]

If Bolduc scores 40 hes going to get a massive long term deal and it would again blow apart the "Top 5" draft, tank blah blah blah. We know Bolduc is going to do well because the Blues drafted and developed him.
The Blues have Kyrou, Buch, Holloway, Snuggerud and Neighbours who will also be getting paid. Cant keep em' all, get ready because Bolduc wont likely be the last popular Blues kid thats dealth

I'm going to keep asking this question until someone can give a valid answer: What was the rush to make that trade this past offseason?

We can only speculate but I'll take a crack at this.

The Blues evaluated their roster and saw a need. Better young right side defense that can grow into a top-4 role to push the veterans. They also saw that Bolduc, though promising and having had a strong season, was part of a crowded forward group who's value was high after the breakout year. Meanwhile, Mailloux became more “available” once Montreal added Noah Dobson. That made Mailloux surplus in Montreal, opening the chance for a Blues trade. Given that, Army decided it was better to act quickly, to get Mailloux while his value is high (but not so high that the price would be extreme), while trading Bolduc while his stock is good. If they waited, either Mailloux might get more NHL games, elevating his trade value, or Bolduc’s value might fall (or other teams step in, bidding up the price). Lastly, the Blues are very good at player development (maybe better than Montreal) and wanted to get him on the roster so WE develop him and he becomes more "home grown".

Again, we may never know for sure but this seems like a plausible scenario.

Ditto, but I’ll add that now that Montreal has some injuries on the blue line, maybe he’d no longer be available. Perhaps Army offered something else and Mont didn’t go for it. Just cause people on here think we could have gotten him for less doesn’t mean the Habs were going to accept that.
Bolduc is a fine young player, but let’s not forget, he couldn’t crack our lineup for stretches, has a good run but then didn’t do jack in the playoffs which I kinda think is what tipped the scales.

[WilliamWestcliffe]

If Bolduc scores 40 hes going to get a massive long term deal and it would again blow apart the "Top 5" draft, tank blah blah blah. We know Bolduc is going to do well because the Blues drafted and developed him.
The Blues have Kyrou, Buch, Holloway, Snuggerud and Neighbours who will also be getting paid. Cant keep em' all, get ready because Bolduc wont likely be the last popular Blues kid thats dealth

I'm going to keep asking this question until someone can give a valid answer: What was the rush to make that trade this past offseason?

I think the Blues were hoping Kessel could keep growing even if its just a little bit at a time and they would have been fine standing pat. His drop in his game early last year compared to the previous year was probably the shot across the bow that he never really was going to be anything other than the 6/7 guy and Tucker is that. Can't have 2 6/7 guys for 2 years in a row. We were absolutely lucky a 40 year old Suter could play a whole season last year. That was 100 percent not in the cards and would have probably cost a lot of people some jobs.

Now you have multiple D prospects and multiple O prospects. There's a path forward for all of them. Lindstein, Jiricek, and Mailloux can all fill out the roster if it works out and they prove to be NHLer's. I think its clear Carbs/Stenberg/Dvorsky at the very least are NHL capable. And then you have have a handful of other guys that are almost for sure bottom 6 guys. If Carbs and Dvorsky hit as top 6 guys, there just isn't room for everyone. So while trading this year wasn't mandatory, I'm sure the Blues were a little scared of what the prospect of having to play Kessel and Tucker every night meant.

I agree with you on the need for RHD prospect, but you didn't justify the urgency.

If we were looking for stability in our third pairing for the next two years, there were plenty of options available that would have cost far less. Then you re-evaluate what you have in Bolduc and his trade value at the TDL or EOY.