Canadiens weigh bridge or long-term options for Zach Bolduc as remaining RFAs narrow

The Montreal Canadiens’ offseason negotiating priorities are narrowing, but one important decision remains unresolved. As Kent Hughes has put pen to paper with Kirby Dach, the Canadiens now have only two restricted free agents left to sign, Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj, a situation that matters because it will determine how quickly Montreal locks in multiple years of cost certainty and lineup planning for its young core.

Zach Bolduc is at the center of the discussion, with different contract pathways reportedly on the table. According to reporting relayed by Yahoo Sports, La Presse’s Guillaume Lefrançois has discussed scenarios that would include either a two-year bridge deal or a longer-term contract that could run five years. The contrast between those approaches is straightforward: a bridge typically preserves flexibility while continuing evaluation, while a long-term deal suggests the team is more comfortable projecting a defined role over the coming seasons.

The same reporting context indicates that Montreal’s RFAs remaining are not limited to Bolduc alone. Arber Xhekaj, another restricted free agent under consideration, adds another variable to the Canadiens’ offseason timeline. While the specific terms or length of Xhekaj’s deal are not detailed in the provided material, the fact that only two players remain means any agreement for either side could accelerate the endgame for the group as a whole.

For Montreal, the question is not only about talent, but also about roster composition and sequencing. A bridge deal for Bolduc would likely keep a near-term negotiating window open, which can be useful for a team that wants to align contract value with on-ice production as roles settle. A five-year option would reduce that near-term risk, but it also requires greater confidence that Bolduc’s development curve will continue along the trajectory the Canadiens are prepared to underwrite.

It also bears noting that the reported contract paths reflect what has been “discussed so far,” not a finalized outcome. Until the Canadiens announce contract agreements, the decision could still pivot based on camps, medical reviews, salary-cap structure, and how negotiations progress with both Bolduc and Xhekaj.

What to watch next is straightforward: whether Montreal and Bolduc reach an agreement that matches one of the reported frameworks, and whether the Xhekaj negotiation is resolved in parallel or follows. Once both RFAs are signed, the Canadiens can better map out their forward depth chart for the upcoming season and finalize how they want to balance short-term flexibility with long-term stability.