Islanders Sign Samuel Bolduc To ELC

The New York Islanders agreed to an ELC with their second-round pick from the 2019 draft class, Samuel Bolduc of the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

In 2019, the New York Islanders shocked some people drafting, Simon Holmstrom, in the first round. Their second rounder, Samuel Bolduc was definitely a pick in the second round that made sense for the franchise.

Bolduc, taken 57th overall, had 37 points (9 goals, 28 assists) in 65 games. Pretty solid numbers, but he got even better last year. Playing between the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Sherbrooke Phoenix he combined for 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists).

The 19-year-old, lefty defender agreed to terms on an ELC with the Isles today. Bolduc, who is a December 2000 baby, is eligible for the AHL next year so expect him to make the leap over for the Sound Tigers after a breakout Junior season.

Here’s what Bill Placzek had to say about Bolduc when he was coming out in 2019:

"Displays good puck control and can even one-hand it to get some room to move out in transition. Protects the biscuit very well. Does so many little things well already. Gets open as an outlet for his forwards, dominates the wall play. His aggressive demeanor on the boards and in front of his net, wins pucks and makes impressions. He has a good feel for where and when to pinch in the offense zone. He opens up his stance to let it rip from the blue line too. Very strong physical guy who will match up well as his career continues, because he knocks players off their feet."

Bolduc is a big kid, at six-foot-four 211 pounds and he has a pretty hard shot. His goal scoring improved in 2019-2020 to add to his physical game. At his size, he should be able to not only hold his own but be a physical kind of force.

The Isles have that with Scott Mayfield and an aging Johnny Boychuk but don’t really have anyone on the left side with that kind of physicality. Bolduc could fill that role for this team down the road.

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While I expect him to start out in the AHL next year, this is someone who absolutely has NHL potential at the next level. He’s not someone who can play in the league at 19 but give it a couple of years and there’s a real chance that he is a second-pair left-handed d-man.