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

[26Mats]

Guhle-Barron
Matheson-Mailloux
Xhekaj - Savard
Struble

is what I think.

There's a difference between not being high and not having having Mailloux in the NHL. I said I was surprised with the later.

Mailloux was the last cut of the camp, the only prospect to make it to Tremblant. Fallowed that with an impressive season, named to the AHL all-star, the AHL rookie team, etc. What else could you asked of him at the AHL level lol. That's my point

I think Hutson will be ahead of Mailloux. Mailloux I think will need more time in Laval.

But we'll see, maybe they both force their way on and Struble and Barron start out as #7 and #8.

 

[dcyhabs]

I’m much more impressed with Struble than Barron, at this point. Unless Barron has put on muscle over the summer and brings an adage to his game, I’m in the for sale camp.

Barron had a few really good games and a lot that were not good. Struble was more half and half with better defense and less offense.

Struble looks better now, but Barron could pass him if he gets more consistent.

Hughes’ next challenge is to pick which Ds to keep. I thought Mailloux looked good in the NHL, better than I expected. I’m not convinced Hutson can play NHL D now, maybe ever. Lots of candidates.

Have to prevent Mailloux from fighting at the NHL level.

 

[dcyhabs]

I think Hutson will be ahead of Mailloux. Mailloux I think will need more time in Laval.

But we'll see, maybe they both force their way on and Struble and Barron start out as #7 and #8.

Hutson’s offense is great. Overall I’m not sure he’s a positive in the NHL in the regular season, much less the playoffs. He’s worked it out at ever other level, but he looked weak on D last year in his audition. It balanced against a bad team, but he needs to improve a lot or teams will key on him in the playoffs.

 

[26Mats]

Hutson’s offense is great. Overall I’m not sure he’s a positive in the NHL in the regular season, much less the playoffs. He’s worked it out at ever other level, but he looked weak on D last year in his audition. It balanced against a bad team, but he needs to improve a lot or teams will key on him in the playoffs.

If he has problems on D, I have a spot for him:

Caufield - Suzuki - Salf
Laine - Dach - Hutson

The way Hughes was talking with Demidov, he seems to think Hutson will be a part of the team at some point.

 

[dcyhabs]

If he has problems on D, I have a spot for him:

Caufield - Suzuki - Salf
Laine - Dach - Hutson

The way Hughes was talking with Demidov, he seems to think Hutson will be a part of the team at some point.

I wouldn’t count Hutson out, he doesn’t need to play stellar D, he just needs to be adequate on a third pairing. He’s done it everywhere else. I suppose playing him on offense and D for the power play could work. Maybe play 3 D so he could play the point on offense, and move the puck, but take on less in the D zone.

Unlikely they’d play him that way, someone would always be out of position. Probably not necessary until the team is ready to do some damage in the playoffs. For the next year or two he can learn unless the team massively surprises.

 

[26Mats]

I wouldn’t count Hutson out, he doesn’t need to play stellar D, he just needs to be adequate on a third pairing. He’s done it everywhere else. I suppose playing him on offense and D for the power play could work. Maybe play 3 D so he could play the point on offense, and move the puck, but take on less in the D zone.

Unlikely they’d play him that way, someone would always be out of position. Probably not necessary until the team is ready to do some damage in the playoffs. For the next year or two he can learn unless the team massively surprises.

I have him penciled in on the 2nd pair with Savard. We'll see how camp goes.

Because of Laine and Hutson (and Dach) I'm more excited for this camp than I can ever remember. And I'm also high on Reinbacher, Mailloux, etc... for the future. Also really looking forward to finally seeing how Engstrom does in North America.

 

[Prairie Habs]

I wouldn’t count Hutson out, he doesn’t need to play stellar D, he just needs to be adequate on a third pairing. He’s done it everywhere else. I suppose playing him on offense and D for the power play could work. Maybe play 3 D so he could play the point on offense, and move the puck, but take on less in the D zone.

Unlikely they’d play him that way, someone would always be out of position. Probably not necessary until the team is ready to do some damage in the playoffs. For the next year or two he can learn unless the team massively surprises.

Hughes said pretty much the exact opposite of this

“I don’t want to hide Lane Hutson…we want Lane Hutson to turn into the best defenseman that he can become. If he needs to improve his game and he’s better off in the AHL, we’ll send him to Laval. But we won’t keep him in the NHL just to turn him into a powerplay specialist"​

 

[dcyhabs]

Hughes said pretty much the exact opposite of this

“I don’t want to hide Lane Hutson…we want Lane Hutson to turn into the best defenseman that he can become. If he needs to improve his game and he’s better off in the AHL, we’ll send him to Laval. But we won’t keep him in the NHL just to turn him into a powerplay specialist"​

Good. He was eating minutes at ever other level and they don’t have to win now. If he can play acceptable D he’ll be amazing.

I didn’t like what I saw in his two games. He’ll need to get a lot faster and stronger. I suspect he’ll always be a liability on D in the playoffs, but that depends on him and how the league evolves.

 

[themilosh]

I have him penciled in on the 2nd pair with Savard. We'll see how camp goes.

Because of Laine and Hutson (and Dach) I'm more excited for this camp than I can ever remember. And I'm also high on Reinbacher, Mailloux, etc... for the future. Also really looking forward to finally seeing how Engstrom does in North America.

And Kapanen

 

[Mudz]

I think Hutson will be ahead of Mailloux. Mailloux I think will need more time in Laval.

But we'll see, maybe they both force their way on and Struble and Barron start out as #7 and #8.

They are not competing for the same spot so not sure why Hutson is compared to Mailloux.

Reinbacher is more a threat to Mailloux.

It will be between Xhekaj, Struble and Hutson for the third spot and the 7th D. I feel like they won't play Hutson in the 7th D role tho.

 

[Sorinth]

They are not competing for the same spot so not sure why Hutson is compared to Mailloux.

Reinbacher is more a threat to Mailloux.

It will be between Xhekaj, Struble and Hutson for the third spot and the 7th D. I feel like they won't play Hutson in the 7th D role tho.

There's a limited number of spots so all of Hutson, Mailloux, Reinbacher, and Struble are competing against each other for the same spots.

It's also worth noting that both Hutson and Mailloux big selling point is offence, so even though they play different sides they have the same profile of offensive defenceman who need work on their D-game.

The handedness is basically irrelevant since Guhle is a natural LD playing RD. Now I wouldn't be shocked if both Hutson and Reinbacher make the team and Struble gets sent down leaving us with the following 7 D.

Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - Savard
Xhekaj - Reinbacher
Barron

But regardless of who earns a spot in camp, it's probably safe to say that the ones who don't will still get 40 or so games as injury replacements much like Struble and Barron did last year.

 

[Mudz]

The handedness is basically irrelevant since Guhle is a natural LD playing RD.

It would be really surprising to see Guhle play on the right side next season. It would take 2 injuries on the right side.

 

[26Mats]

They are not competing for the same spot so not sure why Hutson is compared to Mailloux.

Reinbacher is more a threat to Mailloux.

It will be between Xhekaj, Struble and Hutson for the third spot and the 7th D. I feel like they won't play Hutson in the 7th D role tho.

If Hutson makes the team, the only way I see him doing so is Guhle moving to the right side. Guhle, Xhekaj and Matheson will definitely have spots.

So, by Hutson making the team, and then Guhle moving to the right side, there would be one less spot on the right. There would be two spots for Savard, Barron, Struble, Mailloux, and Reinbacher - and Engstrom - to compete for. Struble and Engstrom could also compete with Hutson and Xhekaj for an LD spot.

 

[Sorinth]

It would be really surprising to see Guhle play on the right side next season. It would take 2 injuries on the right side.

Very doubtful given that the only people they are likely to trust to play on the top pairing as RD against other teams best lines are Guhle and Savard.

 

[Rapala]

Call me dense but Logan Mailloux is not ahead of David Reinbacher.
Here is a brief summary of the 11 games they played in Laval.
Reinbacher had 2 goals to Mailloux's none and 5 points to Logan's 6.
This with Mailloux getting all the 1st wave PP time.
These were crucial games coming down the stretch.
Reinbacher off a miserable stint in Switzrland had to ajust to NA ice/style of play and new team mates.
When all was said and done David Reibacher ended up with the tougher Match Ups at +6 to Mailloux's -8.
Anyone who watched those games knows what I mean.
To suggest that Mailloux has nothing left to learn in Laval is a stretch IMO.

 

[Naslundforever]

It would be really surprising to see Guhle play on the right side next season. It would take 2 injuries on the right side.

I tend to agree it’s weird playing rookies or goons ahead of Guhle on their natural side. With Reinbacher and Mailloux coming up not sure RD is the development path for Guhle either. I figure a rotation of Hutson and Xhekaj in the ahl / 7d / 3LD spot with Struble the odd man out. Injuries will probably decide much as usual. Temp measure at worst to play the Matheson Guhle pair again. I might pair them both with one of the new rhd older and keep Hutson with Savard or something if he sticks.

Perhaps

Guhle - Mailloux
Matheson - Reinbacher
Hutson - Savard (special team minutes mostly)

3 rookies is also meh but Xjekaj is not good defensively so makes little difference there anyway.

 

[Sorinth]

I tend to agree it’s weird playing rookies or goons ahead of Guhle on their natural side. With Reinbacher and Mailloux coming up not sure RD is the development path for Guhle either. I figure a rotation of Hutson and Xhekaj in the ahl / 7d / 3LD spot with Struble the odd man out. Injuries will probably decide much as usual. Temp measure at worst to play the Matheson Guhle pair again. I might pair them both with one of the new rhd older and keep Hutson with Savard or something if he sticks.

Perhaps

Guhle - Mailloux
Matheson - Reinbacher
Hutson - Savard (special team minutes mostly)

3 rookies is also meh but Xjekaj is not good defensively so makes little difference there anyway.

So if I understand Mailloux starts the year in the AHL, so maybe gets half a season of NHL games but by next year he's going to be on the top pairing? That seems like a big ask especially given that expectations will be playoffs.

It's one thing to play a rookie big minutes when your tanking and it's a rebuild/transition year, doing it while trying to be competitive.

 

[Naslundforever]

So if I understand Mailloux starts the year in the AHL, so maybe gets half a season of NHL games but by next year he's going to be on the top pairing? That seems like a big ask especially given that expectations will be playoffs.

It's one thing to play a rookie big minutes when your tanking and it's a rebuild/transition year, doing it while trying to be competitive.

Not sure who top pairing would be; I imagine Matheson would be 1; with Reinbacher being the highest draftee here on RD... Hutson with Savard makes sense… There’s only 3 D pairing lol

I’m trying to get Guhle back on lhd, just a suggestion. Whatever rookies hab play they have to deliver or stay in the ahl I guess. Only 6 spots available…

 

[Mudz]

I tend to agree it’s weird playing rookies or goons ahead of Guhle on their natural side. With Reinbacher and Mailloux coming up not sure RD is the development path for Guhle either. I figure a rotation of Hutson and Xhekaj in the ahl / 7d / 3LD spot with Struble the odd man out. Injuries will probably decide much as usual. Temp measure at worst to play the Matheson Guhle pair again. I might pair them both with one of the new rhd older and keep Hutson with Savard or something if he sticks.

Perhaps

Guhle - Mailloux
Matheson - Reinbacher
Hutson - Savard (special team minutes mostly)

3 rookies is also meh but Xjekaj is not good defensively so makes little difference there anyway.

Yup. That's why it's pointless to argue without knowing that. Or who's going to have a good/bad camp..

By the way, when I'm guessing the lines, I'm not saying what I would do, but what I think they'll do.

And for the last game of the season, they went with Guhle/Barron (they have a team Canada history, plus you mix with best defensive LD with your worst), Matheson with Mailloux (+1 finished) and Hutson-Savard.

I feel like Reinbacher is probably already better than other RDs but only he beats them by a lot, they'll make him log top pair minutes in Laval. Same with Hutson.

 

[Vachon23]

Mailloux reminds me Nathan Beaulieu but bigger and with a better shot. Many interesting tools but no toolbox. Hope he can become like Sheldon Souray with his shot and physicality but I think his IQ will prevent him to be a top pair in the NHL

 

[ahmedou]

Mailloux reminds me Nathan Beaulieu but bigger and with a better shot. Many interesting tools but no toolbox. Hope he can become like Sheldon Souray with his shot and physicality but I think his IQ will prevent him to be a top pair in the NHL

Mailloux = Souray 2.0

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Mailloux reminds me Nathan Beaulieu but bigger and with a better shot. Many interesting tools but no toolbox. Hope he can become like Sheldon Souray with his shot and physicality but I think his IQ will prevent him to be a top pair in the NHL

He’s tracking to be much better than Beaulieu, though.

the difference now is that with Beaulieu we needed him to be our transitional piece between PK and Markov for when the general finally hung them up. Mailloux doesn’t have that kind of pressure or need from the organization.

He can comfortably be the #4 guy in a Hutson-Reinbacher-Guhle foursome and play the 2nd PP.

I feel pretty good about his chances to live up to that type of expectation.

 

[bsl]

Not sure who top pairing would be; I imagine Matheson would be 1; with Reinbacher being the highest draftee here on RD... Hutson with Savard makes sense… There’s only 3 D pairing lol

I’m trying to get Guhle back on lhd, just a suggestion. Whatever rookies hab play they have to deliver or stay in the ahl I guess. Only 6 spots available…

I could see mailloux being on pp at rd this year. Shot threat.

 

[Vachon23]

He’s tracking to be much better than Beaulieu, though.

the difference now is that with Beaulieu we needed him to be our transitional piece between PK and Markov for when the general finally hung them up. Mailloux doesn’t have that kind of pressure or need from the organization.

He can comfortably be the #4 guy in a Hutson-Reinbacher-Guhle foursome and play the 2nd PP.

I feel pretty good about his chances to live up to that type of expectation.

At the same age Mailloux isn’t better then Beaulieu was, but my point wasn’t that Mailloux is the next Beaulieu. It’s that they have the same massive weakness even if they have very nice tools

 

[Habs Halifax]

Hughes said pretty much the exact opposite of this

“I don’t want to hide Lane Hutson…we want Lane Hutson to turn into the best defenseman that he can become. If he needs to improve his game and he’s better off in the AHL, we’ll send him to Laval. But we won’t keep him in the NHL just to turn him into a powerplay specialist"​

I wish some of the gullible fans would read this like 100 times. We should not, we can not, we will not manage Hutson like how the Leafs spoil their "young guns" by evaluating on offense only. That's not a good plan and Hughes is too smart to fall in that trap.

Hutson will have to mature on D and how to be effective in his own zone... just like how we managed Guhle, Xhekaj, Harris, Barron, Mailloux, etc. There are no exceptions for Hutson.