In my position, I have to deal with a range of professional , U Sports, CCAA, NCAA and major junior level scouts. Some are on the ball, some intuitive if not visionary, some disinterested and some are, to be less than charitable, lazy. It’s a microcosm of the workforce in any industry. The reality is that some (most?) scouts lack the time to conduct a thorough analysis of most of the players they are assessing. They often rely on statistics and , like many here, get caught up in the prevailing consensus and fail to exercise independent, critical thought. There is no one here who is a greater booster of Mailloux’s potential. But there is no way that this kid is ready to play an immediate, impactful role in the NHL . I fully expect him to initially struggle with the speed and physicality of the AHL. I only hope that if Mailloux does indeed struggle during his initial sojourn in the AHL, those here who expect instant gratification, don’t start the inevitable process of throwing this fine young player under the bus.
One has to understand that Mailloux, despite his size, is not a physical player. Whether this is as a result of temperament, lack of conditioning or a self acknowledgment of the continuing fragility of his surgically repaired shoulder, I don’t know. But Mailloux is a finesse player who already possesses NHL level skills. The question is when will the other facets of his game catch up. I say: 2024/2025. I, and I suspect the team, would be delighted if I was wrong in this regard and that Mailloux’s ‘arrival’ occurred earlier than I am predicting.