Logan Mailloux has 7 points in his last 7 games. He's getting use to the AHL. Impressive production for a rookie. Especially where he has missed so much time.
Likely a #6 with PP time on the 2nd PP wave, because Hutson will have the first wave PP minutes.He looks like an nhler. question is, top 4 with pp time, or a number 6 with pp time. He's going to make it though because he's a weapon on the pp.
Way too early to tell especially because Mailloux has played so little the past few seasons. I keep saying he should be in Laval for 2 full seasons minimumLikely a #6 with PP time on the 2nd PP wave, because Hutson will have the first wave PP minutes.
Guhle - Barron
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj- Mailloux
Are we gonna play with 7 D so that Hutson can just play PP?Likely a #6 with PP time on the 2nd PP wave, because Hutson will have the first wave PP minutes.
Guhle - Barron
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj- Mailloux
I legit feel he has a chance to be a #1 if he improves his defensive game. Do you see this in the realm of possibilities for him as well?I've seen quite a bit of improvement in Mailloux's game in the last couple games, from being way too tentative offensively and an absolute tire-fire defensively to being slightly less than AHL-average defensively and very solid offensively.
Might seem like I'm ripping on Mailloux here, but such progression in so short a time is astounding, and a great sign to see.
First and foremost when it comes to his progress, I think that Mailloux's learned to be much less tentative offensively, plays much more aggresively which makes him more effective offensively although a bit riskier, makes decisions quicker with and without the puck, and has started to adapt his game to the superior speed, strength, and greater skill level of opposing players.
I've also noticed that Logan Mailloux has started being more energetic, and engaged physycally in board battles in the last couple games, which is a great sight to see. Hopefully that trend continues, as well as how he seems to have changed his play selection in all zones, taking less time to make plays and making more advanced reads.
That said, to my eyes Mailloux's defensive game is still incredibly raw and very much work-in-progress. He, like Norlinder and Trudeau unfortunately, has a tendency to get COMPLETELY lost defending the cycle, often losing his man/failing to anchor position properly when he needs to switch to zone defense because of sustained pressure.
In 1-on-1 situations, Mailloux is quite a bit better now than he was at the start of the AHL season, and much stronger overall in that facet than when defending the cycle or sustained pressure. But even then he's still a ways away from being even just NHL-average.
Simply put, I've found that Mailloux either gives too much space/respect to opponents, allowing stop-and-curl entries into the zone along the boards by backing-off too much, or is too aggressive and either gets beat outside/inside or allows opposing forwards to stretch the play and connect on deeper angled passes/rims when defending solo rushes.
And positioning-wise, Mailloux still has lots to learn without going too into the details of angles, timing of pinches, space to occupy to better cut-off passing plays, stick-checking in general, position to take alongside his partner to better defend odd-man rushes, etc.
So yeah, LOTS still to iron-out defensively, and a bit offensively as well but defense will make or break Mailloux's chances to be a good NHL D for us.
Coaching staff needs to keep working on him, get his confidence as high as it can go offensively, and drill him as much as they can defensively.
Oh, and Mailloux MUST stay in the AHL all season at the minimum. I'd even go as far as saying he needs to stay this season full-time in the AHL, and then even starting next season in the AHL to really hammer-out as many of his defensive kinks as possible before he makes his way to the NHL.
No, they aren't coaching a rookie defenseman the finer points of playing defense. C'mon man . He's so raw he's going to look bad at times but if there's improvement, then we're on our way. He's a couple years awaySaw some highlights, are they coaching him at all on the defensive side of things? He looks bad at times on what is essential basic d one on one.
I legit feel he has a chance to be a #1 if he improves his defensive game. Do you see this in the realm of possibilities for him as well?
Thanks! just needed confirmation.No, they aren't coaching a rookie defenseman the finer points of playing defense. C'mon man . He's so raw he's going to look bad at times but if there's improvement, then we're on our way. He's a couple years away
Saw some highlights, are they coaching him at all on the defensive side of things? He looks bad at times on what is essential basic d one on one.
I suspect one of Engstrom or Struble beats out Barron long term.Likely a #6 with PP time on the 2nd PP wave, because Hutson will have the first wave PP minutes.
Guhle - Barron
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj- Mailloux
The offensive skills are there. If he cannot improve on D, I say transform him into a forward. We lack skills over there.
Hutson-Mailloux-Engstrom... our 2nd line of the futureThe offensive skills are there. If he cannot improve on D, I say transform him into a forward. We lack skills over there.
There have been some good dmen that started out their careers as forwards: Byfuglien, Brent Burns.
His upside is way beyond a number 6 imo. To even suggest he’s a number 6 is ridiculous.Way too early to tell especially because Mailloux has played so little the past few seasons. I keep saying he should be in Laval for 2 full seasons minimum
Did I say he was a number 6 future D? I consider him a legitimate future top pairing Dman who needs time.His upside is way beyond a number 6 imo. To even suggest he’s a number 6 is ridiculous.
I dunno why it shows me as quoting you. I didn’t, I quoted the post that said he was a number 6. I think the site f***ed upDid I say he was a number 6 future D? I consider him a legitimate future top pairing Dman who needs time.