Montreal Canadiens Report Cards: Francis Bouillon
By Jared Book
Francis Bouillon didn’t score often, but when he did, they turned out to be pretty big goals. He was often an extra defenceman but was called upon in the playoffs.
STATS: 52 Games | 2 G-4 A = 6 P | 34 PIM | -5 | 43.8% Corsi | 1.6 Point Shares
PLAYOFFS: 9 games | 2 G-0 A = 2 P | 4 PIM | +4 | 44.4% Corsi
STORY: Francis Bouillon scored only four games over the regular season and the playoffs, but they were some goals. I only had to look up when one was scored. The others – the winning goal in overtime in the Ottawa comeback, the roofed wrister against the Rangers and the one-timer slap shot from the circle against Boston – are stitched in my memory.
The only other goal he scored was against Chicago in one of the final games of the season. It makes sense I don’t remember that one because I wasn’t even in the country when it happened and didn’t watch it.
In the end, it wasn’t a horrible season for Bouillon. He is what he is – a depth defenceman. He doesn’t hurt you like Douglas Murray but he doesn’t help you either. Especially when you have Mike Weaver, Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu. And if nothing else, his post-season might allow him to find a job and keep his NHL career going.
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If he doesn’t come back to Montreal, his post-season goals will be a fantastic memory for him as well as the winning goal against the Senators in overtime. There is one common theme on most of those goals. Offensive pressure followed by him on the weak side in position for a shot.
GRADE: C
Bouillon was what he was. Did some goals get scored that were his fault? Yes. But what can you expect from a guy who spent most of the season as a defenceman behind Murray on the depth chart. He was fine and had some great moments.
It’s possible that the goals he scored are clouding my view of his season, but I don’t think it matters too much.
FUTURE: Bouillon is an unrestricted free-agent. The team will probably bring back one of him or Mike Weaver. I’m sure their preference is Weaver, but who knows if his post-season will price him out of the Canadiens range.
Bouillon’s playoffs will most likely get him at least an offer from another team to continue his career. He will be 39 at the start of next season. It will be very interesting to see if he can make it another season and if a team will give him that chance.