Prospect Info: Logan Mailloux Part 3 The Only Hockey Talk Thread

[BLONG7]

The second coming of Gaston Gingras. Every Hab would sprawl the ice whenever he shot. Lots of power, zero accuracy.

LOL...............I remember this.....................guns a blazing, everyone freaking hide!!

 

[Scriptor]

Hopefully, Mailloux plays well enough and tightens his D-game so he can get some experience in this yearn order to not be completely new at the NHL game the season after, when Reinbacher likely jumps straight to the NHL, along with, perhaps, Hutson?

How would it look with Matheson leading Guhle, Xhekaj, Maillloux, Reinbacher and Hutson in two years, with Engstrom hot on their heels and with Harris and Barron also in the mix?

That's 9 D sniffing around for TOI in the NHL, even if Savard gets flipped the deadline that year and some start the season in Laval.

Reinbacher is getting sent back to the Swiss league, instead of stepping into the Laval lineup (or there Habs' roster) and Hutson is back in the NCAA, all clear moves not to rush them, yes, but also a means of delaying their arrival and rolling over their ELC.

I'm not hoping that the logjam gets lessened by some this prospects not living up to projections, but I'm also concerned we won't get the luxury of showcasing any of the pones that won't be around for the long run long enough to raise their value on the trade front?

Do you think Reinbacher stays in the Swiss league the season after this one?

I seriously doubt it.

Do you think he plays a full season in Laval, then?

Not if his play is good and he shows he has adapted to the smaller rink, IMO?

Do you think Hutson completes his degree, or does he turn professional after next season? Does Montreal risk losing him for nothing if he finishes his degree?

Do the Habs wean Hutson in Montreal, under their direct supervision, orders he play in Laval?

I really don't know?

Will Barron or Harris have become more than throw-ins for trade offers by the time all the young wolves are circling the Habs' locker room for a spot on D?

Sure, hypothetically, the Habs' D is a position of strength to trade from to address needs at other positions, but the kids need to forge a reputation to have some worth on the trade front, no?

 

[ChesterNimitz]

The second coming of Gaston Gingras. Every Hab would sprawl the ice whenever he shot. Lots of power, zero accuracy.

Compared to Mailloux’s shooting accuracy, Gingras is a veritable Daniel Boone.

 

[Scriptor]

Compared to Mailloux’s shooting accuracy, Gingras is a veritable Daniel Boone.

Scary

Compared to Mailloux’s shooting accuracy, Gingras is a veritable Daniel Boone.

At least,. he got 25 goals -- Gingras never did (13, tops).

 

[rve24]

There’s no shortage of exaggerated mantra on this site as the presumptive power of the consensus works both in favour and, at times, against discussed players. Mailloux is an instructive lesson as to the deceptive powers of mob thinking. We have a 6’ 3” 210 lbs defenceman with a supposed mean streak ( whatever that means) and many here believe and repeat the mantra that we have an imposing physical defence arriving: a verifiable Chris Pronger. Nothing could be 'wronger' (pardon the unfortunate rhyme). Keep repeating that misconception and it eventually becomes the accepted consensus. This phenomenon also works in the negative. Reading some posts here, there’s a growing segment of posters who now believe and are willing to parrot the idea that Mailloux would have difficulty effectively playing defence in house league hockey. Ahh, the ever present consensus.

In my position as a manager of a large amateur sport organization I often have to deal with troubled, minor aged athletes who commit acts that constitute criminal offences. Some of these kids come from broken homes or have/face developmental/ social challenges. So I was intrigued why Montreal was prepared to accept the all to be expected social/ public reaction and fury in drafting this self- confessed offender in the first round. So I did what everyone should have done, I did my research and avoided the opinions of the ever present talking heads and the moralists. I had my staff search and locate every video they could find of Mailloux being interviewed and playing both in Canada and overseas during COVID. I quickly determined that Mailloux was not the typical kid that I usually deal with who has committed a disciplinary transgression or even a criminal act. The interviews I watched disclosed a young man who was highly articulate and was very intelligent. The videos of Mailloux playing also confirmed that we had drafted a player who had a number of intriguing skills and traits: size, above average skating, great shot and near élite offensive vision for a player of his age. It was then that I decided to follow this player as he transitioned from minor hockey to junior (OHL) hockey. I tried to watch every video of Mailloux playing for London and saw him play in person on several occasions when I was in a city at the same time the Knights were playing. My many posts on this thread are a reflection of my efforts to gain an accurate perspective of this young player’s development.

I will repeat my previous assessment, as nothing that I have seen has changed same: 1) Mailloux will never be an overly physical defenceman, it is not his game. 2) Mailloux is not an elite skater as he lacks quickness and first step acceleration. He possesses excellent straight forward speed once he gets going and has acceptable lateral skating ability. 3) Mailloux has to gain core strength and add at least 10 pounds of muscle mass to be an effective player in the NHL as he had problems physically controlling larger opposing forwards in the OHL; 4) Mailloux has to greatly improve his game conditioning to play in the pros, at any level. Being away from the game for almost two years adversely impacted his stamina levels. 5) Mailloux possess elite offensive skills and vision. He sees the ice extremely well in the offensive zone; has excellent hand skills; has a range of shots that are already top NHL level and has a first pass that is the best that I have seen in a Montreal prospect since Subban and Chelios before him. His first pass is hard, flat and has laser like precision. In London, few of Mailloux’s teammates could successfully receive those Mahommes like passes. That won’t be the case when he’s passing to Suzuki, Caufield, etc. As I previously commented, Mailloux already has a better first pass than all current Montreal defenceman. 6) Mailloux’s defensive game remains a work in progress. From the games that I watched, Mailloux doesn’t have a natural defensive inclination. It is the exact opposite to Reinbacher’s defensive approach. Mailloux is often caught in between either closing the gap on an opposing forward or angling the forward towards a less threatening area of the ice. Mailloux relies on stick checks way too much and often looks like he’s playing ball hockey in his stationary efforts to block opposing forwards' passes and shots instead of aggressively attacking the opponent. Its in his defensive game where you can really see the missing two years of development. How his defensive game develops over the next few years will determine if Montreal drafted a star defenceman or just another in a long line of one-dimensional defencemen.

I remain confident that Mailloux will play in the NHL , and play well, whether for Montreal or some other team if we are foolish enough to trade him.

Just my thoughts.

TY.
Have had seasons tics in London since 99, also worked with numerous U16, U18, lower level Jr clubs and HC U 15 cash grab camps where he played . Ypur assessment was well laid out n accurate. JMO.

 

[rve24]

Patience

 

[HuGort]

I don't understand this. If Mailloux’s defense is as poor as advertised, why on earth would they even entertain the thought of bringing him in the fire?

Long shot but 15 games end of season likely good for his development.

 

[Rapala]

His shot will have absolutely no bearing on whether he is called up or not. Having a big clapper is just sprinkles on the cake.

Besides....you know the first bomb he unleashes will find a way to Gallagher's hands.

So you are saying he starts the season with the Habs right.
Poor Gallagher. Actually rich Gallagher but I feel bad his Cap Hit brings this sarcasm out in me.

 

[Habaddict]

I don't understand why people are concerned
about the accuracy of his slap shot. My impression
was that his wrist shot is a true weapon and he uses
it a lot. And I've seen him get off some good one-timers
on a very short back swing.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Scary


At least,. he got 25 goals --

I don't understand why people are concerned
about the accuracy of his slap shot. My impression
was that his wrist shot is a true weapon and he uses
it a lot. And I've seen him get off some good one-timers
on a very short back swing.

My concerns are based on watching almost every game Mailloux played last year. The raw skill and power is there but I don’t think Mailloux really knows where his slap shot is going. Maybe its the lost two years of development or kid trying to grow into his body. But I will agree with you about Mailloux’s short back swing. Those who compare Gingras’ shooting style to Mailloux’s haven’t watched both these players closely enough. Gingras had one of the most exaggerated wind ups in hockey with his stick at times being perpendicular to the ice surface. Mailloux rarely reaches more than 3/4’s at the apex of his wind-up. While Gingras had an above average wrist shot, Mailloux’s approaches Malakhov’s wrist shot in speed. He has the rare ability of causing rebounds by just using a wrist shot from the point. Another facet of Mailloux’s shooting ability that I find less than stellar is his ability to take one-timers. Too often I saw him flub excellent scoring opportunities by fanning on one timers that were set up on the proverbial tee for him. I attributed this shortcoming to lack of game time experience.

Nevertheless, if Mailloux can hone his existing shooting abilities, both with respect to accuracy and getting the puck through blocking players, he will be a deadly force at the next level. I think he will and I await with anticipation watching him and Hutson run our power play in two to three years. It should be very interesting.

 

[Rapala]

My concerns are based on watching almost every game Mailloux played last year. The raw skill and power is there but I don’t think Mailloux really knows where his slap shot is going. Maybe its the lost two years of development or kid trying to grow into his body. But I will agree with you about Mailloux’s short back swing. Those who compare Gingras’ shooting style to Mailloux’s haven’t watched both these players closely enough. Gingras had one of the most exaggerated wind ups in hockey with his stick at times being perpendicular to the ice surface. Mailloux rarely reaches more than 3/4’s at the apex of his wind-up. While Gingras had an above average wrist shot, Mailloux’s approaches Malakhov’s wrist shot in speed. He has the rare ability of causing rebounds by just using a wrist shot from the point. Another facet of Mailloux’s shooting ability that I find less than stellar is his ability to take on-timers. Too often I saw him flub excellent scoring opportunities by fanning on one timers that were set up on the proverbial tee for him. I attributed this shortcoming to lack of game time experience.

Nevertheless, if Mailloux can hone his existing shooting abilities, both with respect to accuracy and getting the puck through blocking players, he will be a deadly force at the next level. I think he will and I await with anticipation watching him and Hutson run our power play in two to three years. It should be very interesting.

I agree he isn't adept at one timers to the point that I don't even remember seeing him try it in the post season. A couple of times against Peterborough he looked like he was set up for a one timer and instead received the opportunity as a pass.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I agree he isn't adept at one timers to the point that I don't even remember seeing him try it in the post season. A couple of times against Peterborough he looked like he was set up for a one timer and instead received the opportunity as a pass.

One has to be careful when watching any one player too closely to avoid being overly critical. There are no perfect players, all have their weaknesses and areas that have to be worked on. I have often written that Mailloux is an intriguing prospect as he has the exceptional combination of size, mobility and skill. The question remains whether he can be more than the sum of all his parts. I think he can. So I think the idle talk you sometimes read here of trading this kid borders on mistaken folly. But this is the team that foolishly traded away a young Leclair and even younger Sergachev. Dumb always loses. Always.

 

[Rapala]

One has to be careful when watching any one player too closely to avoid being overly critical. There are no perfect players, all have their weaknesses and areas that have to be worked on. I have often written that Mailloux is an intriguing prospect as he has the exceptional combination of size, mobility and skill. The question remains whether he can be more than the sum of all his parts. I think he can. So I think the idle talk you sometimes read here of trading this kid borders on mistaken folly. But this is the team that foolishly traded away a young Leclair and even younger Sergachev. Dumb always loses. Always.

Absolutely. The idea of focusing negatively on a facet of any given young player's game should only be about identifying things that need to be worked on.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[sampollock]

I bet he pushes the CH to play him for the big club, with a strong camp
my guess

 

[CheldishGamibno]

I bet he pushes the CH to play him for the big club, with a strong camp
my guess

Hopefully not. Even if he has a great camp, no need to rush and let him dominate the AHL for a possible call-up later in the year. And they already have:
Matheson, Savard, Guhle, Barron, Kovacevic, Xhekaj, Harris, Lindstrom (8)

 

[Deebs]

I bet he pushes the CH to play him for the big club, with a strong camp
my guess

Can't see him anywhere but Laval myself but one never knows.

 

[sampollock]

Can't see him anywhere but Laval myself but one never knows.

i agree. hope he pushes the habs to think, but starts in laval

 

[WeThreeKings]

0 chance he pushes them at camp. His defensive game won't play.

 

[Tyson]

Just watched some young prospects getting interviewed on Habs TV. (YouTube). Farrell, Reinbacher, Beck and Mailloux. Mailloux's interview is a must watch. The kid is impressive.

 

[sampollock]

Just watched some young prospects getting interviewed on Habs TV. (YouTube). Farrell, Reinbacher, Beck and Mailloux. Mailloux's interview is a must watch. The kid is impressive.

he will be a good player for the habs in 2025

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Just watched some young prospects getting interviewed on Habs TV. (YouTube). Farrell, Reinbacher, Beck and Mailloux. Mailloux's interview is a must watch. The kid is impressive.

I haven’t seen it and I don’t want to come off as cynical but he’s had probably 100x more coaching/assistance than 99.9% of all pro athletes ever in existence.

Just stating it for the sake of it. I’m interested to see this interview and glad he’s coming off well

 

[Habs Halifax]

Just watched some young prospects getting interviewed on Habs TV. (YouTube). Farrell, Reinbacher, Beck and Mailloux. Mailloux's interview is a must watch. The kid is impressive.

Very underrated. There is certainly top 4D or top pairing potential with him. I prefer him to dominate the AHL first. Starts his ELC a bit later. There is zero need to rush him even if he "doesn't look out of place" in preseason game. Where have we seen that before eh?

 

[Deebs]

Very underrated. There is certainly top 4D or top pairing potential with him. I prefer him to dominate the AHL first. Starts his ELC a bit later. There is zero need to rush him even if he "doesn't look out of place" in preseason game. Where have we seen that before eh?

I don't think he's underrated at all. He has all the tools, just needs to play more hockey. I think management will do the right thing and groom him properly.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

It seems like we are trying to rush this guy , I don't know why everybody around the org is saying he's the most likely to make it out of camp all summer

I'm just saying even if he is ready why not just let him simmer. Probably just the PTSD talking but I don't see the rush he's so young and he's a dman with no pro experience