Surprising twist for the Canadiens and the controversial Logan Mailloux
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
While the Montreal Canadiens defended Logan Mailloux in 2021 when no one else would, they could now be in a position where they have to move on from him.
Logan Mailloux was a contentious first-round selection by the Montreal Canadiens three years ago. Since then, he has diligently worked to rebuild his reputation, excelling with the London Knights and Laval Rocket. During his rookie AHL season, the 21-year-old notched 14 goals and 47 points in 72 games, which earned him a single NHL appearance in the 2023/24 season.
In a surprising development, the Montreal Canadiens might need to part ways with Logan Mailloux and reassign him to the AHL to retain Justin Barron for the 2024/25 season. This comes despite the belief within the organization that Mailloux is ready for NHL action.
"But let's say Logan Mailloux, if you were to bet today, here we are, mid-July, Logan Mailloux started in Laval yesterday. Do you think he's had enough seasoning in Laval to start with the Canadiens and then be on his way, or do you think a little bit more time in Laval would actually do him good?
Well, I think I mean, I've thought, before Jonathan Kovacevic got moved, that he's probably going to start the season in Laval because Barron will be eligible for waivers and he won't. Right. Yeah.
It probably comes down to not wanting to lose an asset in the Lehkonen trade for nothing, who could still be a decent NHL defenseman, perhaps.
So, do they start the year with Mailloux and Barron as a sixth or seventh? That's possible, but I think Barron would probably spend most of the time in the press box because you don't want that, especially with Mailloux, because I think he's one of the higher-ranked prospects in the organization. Yeah, he's got to play. So if they don't want Barron as the seventh guy and they want to give him a regular role to start the year, then Mailloux, I would think, likely heads to Laval for more seasoning, which wouldn't be a bad thing."
Well, I think I mean, I've thought, before Jonathan Kovacevic got moved, that he's probably going to start the season in Laval because Barron will be eligible for waivers and he won't. Right. Yeah.
It probably comes down to not wanting to lose an asset in the Lehkonen trade for nothing, who could still be a decent NHL defenseman, perhaps.
So, do they start the year with Mailloux and Barron as a sixth or seventh? That's possible, but I think Barron would probably spend most of the time in the press box because you don't want that, especially with Mailloux, because I think he's one of the higher-ranked prospects in the organization. Yeah, he's got to play. So if they don't want Barron as the seventh guy and they want to give him a regular role to start the year, then Mailloux, I would think, likely heads to Laval for more seasoning, which wouldn't be a bad thing."
While it's possible that Mailloux could make his NHL debut later in the year if he performs well in the AHL, there's a risk that frustration might build for the former 31st overall pick.
Source: House of Hockey
Surprising turn of events for Logan Mailloux and the Montreal Canadiens
Surprising turn of events for Logan Mailloux and the Montreal Canadiens
| POLL | ||
20 JUILLET | 145 ANSWERS Surprising twist for the Canadiens and the controversial Logan Mailloux Is Logan Mailloux Poised to Become a Steady Contributor for Montreal in 2024/25? | ||
| Yes | 103 | 71 % |
| No | 42 | 29 % |
| List of polls | ||
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