Toggle sidebar

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

Skip Bayless said:
The battle for Mailloux is going to be consistency on D and risk management in every zone. He is literally learning that aspect of the game on the spot. Will he internalize in such a way where it becomes almost second nature? I doubt it.

From that stand point, consistency is harder to come by.

But his offensive tools are undeniable. Great shot, great reach, some impressive vision for outlet passes.

I have a soft spot for redemption stories, cheering for him.
Click to expand...
Marty likes him and he might just be here to stay. I am not saying he should stay but maybe management might think he should be learning at the NHL level moving forward.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goalfield13, Skip Bayless and HuGort
Worth giving him the season to prove he's worth something at this point, the tools are obvious but he's not just bad defensively, he's well below replacement level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goalfield13
EtLeBut2 said:
Worth giving him the season to prove he's worth something at this point, the tools are obvious but he's not just bad defensively, he's well below replacement level.
Click to expand...
If we're able to con someone to take Savy, slide him in that 3rd pairing and give him the rest of the season. The back down for the playoffs with Laval if possible
 
  • Like
Reactions: EtLeBut2, HuGort, BigDaddyLurch and 1 other person
bleuetbio said:
I think Mailloux has been good. He just dont gave the perfect partner to play with yet. Still a raw project at this point and we should give him a lot of NHL time since the end of the season.
Click to expand...
Maybe people are seeing something that I’m not. As a result of his skating limitations, we were always in trouble when Mailloux was on the ice as he doesn’t have the mobility, acceleration to avoid forecheckers. We were trapped in our zone for extended periods when Mailloux is playing.

Will he get faster? I have my serious doubts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vachon23 and EtLeBut2
DAChampion said:
Asking from a position of inexperience:

Why is it so hard to improve skating?

Does Mailloux have fundamental limitations like a lack of cartilage or always skipping leg day?
Click to expand...
In my experience, some improvement is possible: a poor skater can become a less poor skater and a good skater can become a bit better skater. But except in the rare occasion, by the age of 20, what you see is largely what you get.

Suzuki is a good example of a player improving his skating after junior. Always, a skillful player, Suzuki lacked high end skating speed. That limitation was shown in the WJC, where Suzuki, facing elite talent, was largely ineffectual. His skating deficiency was why Vegas was willing to trade him away. Since coming to Montreal, Suzuki , while not an elite skater, was able to gain that extra step that made him a budding star in the NHL.

I have followed Mailloux's development/progression closely since he was drafted in 2021. To this writer, Mailloux lacks first step quickness and acceleration that would allow him to avoid forechecking pressure and to effectively transport the puck out of the defensive zone. It's a flaw that I don't see is fixable. All you had to do is watch him last night as the team was under pressure in the defensive zone and Mailloux (and others) were not able to cope and be effective against a heavy sustained forecheck. Mailloux is not an NHL level defenceman as he lacks the necessary skating ability. Just compare him to Luke Hughes who, with a couple of strides, was able to shed forechecking pressure and the puck was exiting the Devils zone.

With a back-end comprised of Savard, Xhekaj, Mailloux and, to a lesser degree, Hutson, we were caught slow against a speedy Devils team. And that overall lack of mobility will be fatal to any successful re-build unless this shortcoming is addressed.

Mailloux has excellent offensive talent. He sees the ice well, he has elite passing ability and a pro level shot. He's tall, has good reach and a nose for the net. Once he is in motion, Mailloux has NHL skating. Mailloux's future with the Canadiens is as a power forward, a conversion that should be easier to effect than most think based on his skill set.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EtLeBut2 and DAChampion
Hins77 said:
Imo, a lot of poster here are giving up too quickly on Mailloux. He has some weakness on the dzone, but he still producing. 4 pts in 7 games Mtl. I'm sure with some experiences. He is going to be better and become an NHL defender. He is only 21
Click to expand...

For whatever it's worth I'm not "giving up". Just looking for realistic assessments.

If we go by what @ChesterNimitz , for Mailloux to be an effective d in the NHL he needs to significantly improve his first step, and that will be challenging but not impossible.

That seems reasonable?
 
Letting him play bottom pairing at the NHL level for the remainder of the season and coaching him on his defensive weaknesses is a good idea. Let him play PP2, as well. He won't be able improve his skating right now, but he can improve the speed of his decisions.
 
Hins77 said:
Imo, a lot of poster here are giving up too quickly on Mailloux. He has some weakness on the dzone, but he still producing. 4 pts in 7 games Mtl. I'm sure with some experiences. He is going to be better and become an NHL defender. He is only 21
Click to expand...
Especially with the amount of hockey he has missed. To be this good already tells me we should be very patient before writing this kid off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1909, Hins77 and malcb33
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom