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

[ChesterNimitz]

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.

I started as one of Mailloux's biggest supporters, largely ignoring the noise that surrounded the circumstances of the team's controversial drafting decision. Just look at the title to this thread. As I followed his progress over the years, I soured on Mailloux's potential for reasons that most here know. But throughout my changing views of this prospect, one aspect of Mailloux's game/skillset where my praise remained constant was his passing ability/offensive vision which I have often described was one of the highest among all defencemen currently in the Canadiens' organization. In fact, I stated that Mailloux's first (stretch) pass was the bast I had seen since Subban at his peak. When I read that some are questioning Mailloux's passing ability I start to wonder whether they have actually ever seen him play.

Mailloux has marked deficits in his game: passing ability is not one of them. His passing ability and offensive vision are the sole traits that will allow him to succeed at the next level.

 

[koivalev]

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.

Mailloux would probably be a solid 3rd pairing D starting 2026-27 with Xhekaj. Issue then becomes who we see as the other top 4 RD long-term (ideally not Carrier). Konyushkov is really tough to evaluate but he seems like a sleeper candidate.

 

[koivalev]

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.

Yeah he's at a bit of a weird junction right now where he won't be valuable to the team this year (and runs the risk of stagnating if he plays another year in the A), but where his trade value is probably much lower than his long-term potential would indicate.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

There's definitely a scenario where he can have a 10+ season career in the NHL in a specific role , as I said earlier in this thread. Which, coming from as far as he has, is legit a heck of an accomplishment for the young man. He's made himself into a tradable asset at the very least.

 

[Sorinth]

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.

He played his 1st year with Markov who was still a very good D.

Nobody is saying there was never a time where we didn't need a quality LD, but it wasn't 10+ years of searching for a LD like you first said, and it was enitrely a self inflicted problem from a single offseason where MB decided to get rid of 4 LD and try to scrounge the bargain bin UFA market to replace them.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

He played his 1st year with Markov who was still a very good D.

Nobody is saying there was never a time where we didn't need a quality LD, but it wasn't 10+ years of searching for a LD like you first said, and it was enitrely a self inflicted problem from a single offseason where MB decided to get rid of 4 LD and try to scrounge the bargain bin UFA market to replace them.

Sure, my point is that talking about LHD vs RHD is not a new issue it’s been a talking point forever

 

[Captain97]

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

And Craig Button thinks Reinbacher will make the team out of camp. Now I don't trust Button on much but he's usually pretty good on stuff like this.

 

[koivalev]

And Craig Button thinks Reinbacher will make the team out of camp. Now I don't trust Button on much but he's usually pretty good on stuff like this.

I think he'll certainly be given the opportunity but I think he needs more reps in the AHL, at least another half-season. His balance worries me (especially given the nature of his last injury and how it happened), his defense needs a good amount of work, and he needs to speed up his decision making a bit.

Hopefully he adds some lower-body strength over the summer and gets the reps he needs at the start of next season. I think a Christmas call up is realistic.