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

[Kobe Armstrong]

I've been posting regularly here since 2012 or so, but I don't recall many people discussing LD vs RD until a couple years ago. I think they were largely discussed as interchangeable.

We were actually in the opposite situation for many years, where we desperately needed top-4 LHD and couldn't get any reliable ones. It was a definite talking point here. We had a 10+ year stretch of Subban and Weber at RD and they almost never had a reliable partner.

 

[themilosh]

We were actually in the opposite situation for many years, where we desperately needed top-4 LHD and couldn't get any reliable ones. It was a definite talking point here. We had a 10+ year stretch of Subban and Weber at RD and they almost never had a reliable partner.

to add to this point, it's less so an example of Habs scouting and just a league wide phenomenon - there is a serious scarcity in RHD.. imo add 20-30% to the value of a RHD vs LHD...

 

[Sorinth]

We were actually in the opposite situation for many years, where we desperately needed top-4 LHD and couldn't get any reliable ones. It was a definite talking point here. We had a 10+ year stretch of Subban and Weber at RD and they almost never had a reliable partner.

We were fine at LD up until Markov left (2017), which isn't quite 10 years ago yet. But for sure once he was gone we struggled for quite some time.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

We were fine at LD up until Markov left (2017), which isn't quite 10 years ago yet. But for sure once he was gone we struggled for quite some time.

Markov missed the first 2 seasons of #1 PK but yes he was great when he came back

 

[Sorinth]

Markov missed the first 2 seasons of #1 PK but yes he was great when he came back

Sure but keep in mind we got rid of Markov, Emelin, Beaulieu, Sergachev in the same offseason. So it's no real surprise that we struggled at LD for the next few seasons, and it was very much a self inflicted issue.

 

[26Mats]

If Hughes trades for Zegras then the trifecta of failed trades will be complete.

Zegras >>>>>>> Newhook

 

[Tyson]

Zegras >>>>>>> Newhook

That ain't setting the bar very high is it?

 

[Kojo]

One thing to note about the whole LD/RD thing is that all three of Matheson, Hutson, Guhle were used on the right side last season. It's very likely that Hughes has talked to each of them about that experience, if one of them said they liked it/felt comfortable that reduces the need for Hughes to specifically target a RD and makes a guy like Mailloux a lot more expendable.

All three of them can play RD, Hutson could even play at center if he wanted to but is it ideal? I don't think so. Mailloux is like a secret weapon, paired with Hutson he could score 20 goals in the NHL.

 

[Sorinth]

All three of them can play RD, Hutson could even play at center if he wanted to but is it ideal? I don't think so. Mailloux is like a secret weapon, paired with Hutson he could score 20 goals in the NHL.

Ideal is kind of irrelevant because nobody is icing Team Canada. Does playing the right side make Hutson less effective? I'd say no, it's a hinderance in some areas of the game and a help in others. It's also fairly meaningless given how much man to man coverage we play, even with a LD and a RD they are often both on their off side, or covering the point, etc...

I have a hard time seeing Mailloux score 20 goals. He's not likely to be on PP1, and without those minutes it's a pipe dream.

 

[malcb33]

All three of them can play RD, Hutson could even play at center if he wanted to but is it ideal? I don't think so. Mailloux is like a secret weapon, paired with Hutson he could score 20 goals in the NHL.

20 goals maybe, while being minus 20 +/-.

Mailloux has solid potential, but pairing him with Hutson and expecting him to back Hutson up defensively doesn't feel like a good fit to me.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Looking at the roster, I think that an extension for Matheson would suggest that Mailloux is on the way out.

There's no extension talk with Matheson that has been reported.

Even if they extended him, it doesn't indicate that Mailloux is the odd man out. Carrier has 2 years left in his contract, so he could easily be moved to make room for Mailloux.

Hutson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Matheson
Xhekaj - Mailloux

Could be the top 6 in a year.

 

[HabsAddict]

"We trade him...we keep him...we trade him...we keep him..."

 

[Kojo]

20 goals maybe, while being minus 20 +/-.

Mailloux has solid potential, but pairing him with Hutson and expecting him to back Hutson up defensively doesn't feel like a good fit to me.

Mailloux can score 20 goals, and Hutson probably gets 10 goals or more if Mailloux can learn to pass. Their +/- wouldn't be as bad as you suggest.

 

[HabsAddict]

I sent Hutson an email telling him to practice and improve his muffin shot so he can score mors goals.

Goals are good.

They go in when you shoot the puck faster.

(I'm watching Fargo.)

 

[HabsAddict]

20 goals maybe, while being minus 20 +/-.

Mailloux has solid potential, but pairing him with Hutson and expecting him to back Hutson up defensively doesn't feel like a good fit to me.

Two offensive defenseman...that should work real good. They'll take turns driving Marty into the nut house...

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Sure but keep in mind we got rid of Markov, Emelin, Beaulieu, Sergachev in the same offseason. So it's no real surprise that we struggled at LD for the next few seasons, and it was very much a self inflicted issue.

Who is the best LHD that Weber got to play with his entire time here? Edmundson?

We had Petry and Weber and we were dying for a LHD which was frequently discussed on here, and that's my only point. We always said Weber was a #1 and Petry was a #2, and that we needed better LHD to play with them.

All RHD were considered irrelevant to us at the time because we were stacked. Handedness has definitely been in consideration for years.

 

[JadedRandom]

That ain't setting the bar very high is it?

If we can acquire Zegras for Newhook+, then that will be good for us even though Zegras isn't really the type of player I'd like us to obtain.

As for Mailloux, I think he stays put one more year and then might either make the team or get traded for something else.

Mailloux for sure had more value last year, after a very successful first season in the AHL, but I still think he could improve in the years to come and make something of himself.

I didn't like some of Mailloux's plays defensively in the playoffs, and contrarily to the fanboys I though that Mailloux getting benched for long stretches of games against Charlotte was warranted.

Reinbacher was better in my opinion, but also struggled with consistency and was a bit overmatched against the long-time AHL veterans in Charlotte's lineup.

Nobody on Laval looked great in that series, but we'll have a clearer view at next training camp.

 

[Tyson]

If we can acquire Zegras for Newhook+, then that will be good for us even though Zegras isn't really the type of player I'd like us to obtain.

As for Mailloux, I think he stays put one more year and then might either make the team or get traded for something else.

Mailloux for sure had more value last year, after a very successful first season in the AHL, but I still think he could improve in the years to come and make something of himself.

I didn't like some of Mailloux's plays defensively in the playoffs, and contrarily to the fanboys I though that Mailloux getting benched for long stretches of games against Charlotte was warranted.

Reinbacher was better in my opinion, but also struggled with consistency and was a bit overmatched against the long-time AHL veterans in Charlotte's lineup.

Nobody on Laval looked great in that series, but we'll have a clearer view at next training camp.

According to the coach he was benched because he was playing hurt. Rumor is that it was a rib injury.

 

[salbutera]

According to many including Anthony Marcotte he was Laval's best player in the playoffs until midway through the Rochester series. Rumor has it that he had injured ribs.
The Habs do need to figure out their D core because it is a hodge podge of players that don't mesh.

Bruno Gervais said last week neither Mailloux or Redenbacher are NHL ready to start next season, but Redenbacher is very close and likely needs a couple of months of playing time

 

[Tyson]

Bruno Gervais said last week neither Mailloux or Redenbacher are NHL ready to start next season, but Redenbacher is very close and likely needs a couple of months of playing time

Mailloux will get 20-30 games i am convinced

 

[salbutera]

Mailloux simply isn't HuGo’s “guy”, strategy was pretty clear to me, allow Mailloux to grow & develop in Laval, if his overall game flourishes given proof of strong hockey IQ then keep him, otherwise use him to acquire needed asset.

Mailloux will always possess at best avg hockey IQ, buh-bye…

 

[Tyson]

Mailloux simply isn't HuGo’s “guy”, strategy was pretty clear to me, allow Mailloux to grow & develop in Laval, if his overall game flourishes given proof of strong hockey IQ then keep him, otherwise use him to acquire needed asset.

Mailloux will always possess at best avg hockey IQ, buh-bye…

MSL seems to really like him, thinks he will be a good NHL player.

 

[koivalev]

MSL seems to really like him, thinks he will be a good NHL player.

He's perfect as a 2nd wave PPQB but man does he make some bizarre reads at even strength. I guess silver lining is he has gotten better so maybe there's still something there with another year of AHL experience.

 

[Scriptor]

20 goals maybe, while being minus 20 +/-.

Mailloux has solid potential, but pairing him with Hutson and expecting him to back Hutson up defensively doesn't feel like a good fit to me.

If Mailloux used his size and a bit of mean streak to flatten opponents, scored 20 and had a -20 goal differential at even strength, he'd exactly like Souray, whom many loved while he was here. Of course, Mailloux sucks. It's become that about everything Hab-related on the web...

Until this past season, any positive Suzuki comments were either uttered very quickly and at a lower intonation, or followed with a 'BUT'...

Sports forums have become a perfect venue to vent (which I'm currently doing in my own way), but, for some, it's just venting for the sake venting and making up shit about players' flaws is fair game.

I don't see Maillo-o-o-o-ux as a first pairing D, nor as a top-4 D, but he could surely become a physical, 3rd pairing D with Xhekaj. The two showed chemistry during their brief stint in Laval where Xhekaj was able to simplify his game and concentrate on D to complement Mailloux.

Two big boys wreaking havoc certainly helps build each other's confidence out thereon the ice.

 

[Scriptor]

He's perfect as a 2nd wave PPQB but man does he make some bizarre reads at even strength. I guess silver lining is he has gotten better so maybe there's still something there with another year of AHL experience.

Mailloux has worked on improving his D game all season long. Some point to his lesser offensive stats as a proof that his game is regressing.

That's just fans in ambush waiting to pounce. Improving the D game isn't impossible for anyone.It requires a will to do this. If Mailloux puts in the effort, his D game will improve enough to be a serviceable 3rd pairing D that can quarterback a 2nd PP wave.

Of course, if you find another GM that believes he can become a stellar top-4 D and is willing to cough up the payday a top-4 RHD commands, make that trade ASAP.