10 Reasons to be excited about the Habs in 2024-25 – #6: 6. Mailloux’s sophomore season
The Montreal Canadiens were blessed with two big, pillar right-shot defensemen from 2016-17 to 2020-21, Jeff Petry and Shea Weber.
While they didn’t win a Stanley Cup, they came as close as it gets and it certainly proved how important having a strong, balanced blueline can. Now, with Petry and Weber long gone, the Habs are building from the ground up. David Reinbacher, the 2023 fifth overall selection is the most recent hopeful drafted for the Habs future.
Before him, in 2021 Marc Bergevin drafted Logan Mailloux, and while other teams passed on him for a legitimate reason of concern, the Habs made a bold move. Now, Mailloux has a full season of professional hockey experience under his belt and the confidence to go along with it. There is at least a chance that he steals a spot on the Canadiens blueline out of training camp.
If he doesn’t, I wouldn’t count him out as one of the early season callups, should the Habs end up in a pinch. Mailloux has all the tools to carve out an eventual top four role on the Canadiens defence. There are many variables, like where Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and Reinbacher slot in, but the top four, will likely feature those four.
What does Mailloux have in store for year two?
A 47-point rookie season is nothing to scoff at, especially when you take into account that Mailloux played only 75 games in the Ontario Hockey League, before making the jump to pro. There are areas where he needs to continue to sharpen and be mindful of, but his offensive prowess is something that should be nurtured. The Belle River, Ontario native was an AHL All-Star in his first season and this season, if he isn’t careful he may just put himself on the radar for top defenseman in the league.
Laval is hoping to continue getting better, while getting younger. Although Mailloux is only 21 years old, his experience should be helpful in welcoming guys like Adam Engstrom to the team. I mention Engstrom, because I think he and Mailloux could be fun to watch, perhaps on the power play. Learning on the fly for Engstrom, while building some chemistry with Mailloux could be fun to watch.
With another full year in Laval, I could see Mailloux establishing himself as the top defender or at least in the conversation alongside Reinbacher. I think 20 goals and 35-40 assists is attainable for him. He knows how to handle the physical nature of the pros and he has the talent to burn the opposition with quick rushes or smart breakout passes.
The Canadiens offence has some good pieces for the future, but the blueline isn’t going to roll over and play second fiddle. Because of that, the Canadiens future is so very bright and over the next couple of seasons, I think the Canadiens are going to surprise a lot of people. Mailloux, will certainly have his fingerprint on the team’s success, sooner than later.