Bolduc wasn't great in the AHL for the first half of the season or so and then hit a stride and got called up and played really well for the Blues.
It wasn't about point production with him though, it was his compete level at the NHL that showed, which given his scouting reports was very encouraging.
The Blues have been pretty good at drafting and developing over the years, especially with forwards in that mold. I'd venture to guess they'll ride with him at the AHL level regardless.
I didn't get much viewings of him playing last year in the AHL, but this kid seems extremely motivated from Army's words, and has pretty good reviews in regards from scouts to his play in the OHL last year as an 18 year old.
I wouldn't be overly concerned if he got sent to the ECHL, but I don't see the liklihood of that happening. I also don't see him spending much time in the NHL next year if at all. But given our roster construction, our front office seems pretty excited and encouraged that he'll be at the NHL level in a year or two.
He's got a great frame, a high end shot, and what seems like a really high competitive drive. It'll happen, it's just a matter of how long it'll take.
I think it's definitely plausible that at worst case scenario he can't jump into the top 6, but I find it hard not to see an NHL player there and one with alot of tools that can turn into a two way center pretty quickly and fill the hole we have at top 6 center outside of Thomas.
And that’s what we should expect from a Top 10 pick, 2 years from his draft.. That he can at least compete against men when he’s physically gifted already. Then he should get better as the year goes along.
Last year was a roller coaster to say the least, but like I said, they got him back to playing juniors pretty fast, so he could regain confidence, and he had a great year against kids his own age. He just wasn’t ready to play against men last year. For whatever reason, he couldn’t compete. And like I said, that’s ok as an 18 year old.
This year though, they’ll expect him to be able to at least compete. If we get a replay of last year though, as it’s only been 9-10 months ago, he’s gonna need some time playing in lessor leagues. If that’s the ECHL, than that’s what it is. Nobody’s gonna care in 3 years if he’s playing well in the NHL. It wouldn’t be the first time.
You can ruin kids if they’re not ready. Exactly why they pulled him out of the SHL last year. It’s ridiculous for anyone to think the ECHL would be beneath a 19 year old kid. If he needs it, he needs it. We’ll find out in the next couple of months. Sending him back to Juniors would waste a year of development.
We should expect him to play in the AHL this year. We should also expect he may struggle some early, but then start producing by let’s say Xmas. That’s about normal. But it’s also normal for a Top 10 pick to play in the SHL (at 18) as well, and that was a disaster. So of course people will be interested to see if he’s taken that step.
The Blues aren’t going to ruin him. Even if that means sending him back to Juniors and wasting a year.