Logan Mailloux: “the captain” has the tools for the NHL

The rookie tournament is behind us. Now it’s time for the golf tournament.

Of course, on the heels of the rookie tournament, we’ll focus on the performances of the defensemen.

How can we overlook Lane Hutson’s performance in particular? We know we shouldn’t draw conclusions based on these games, but he was really strong. He played to his strengths, in fact.

I hate this. It is a serious case of jumping the gun. The sample size is ridiculously small. And the hype train is already out of control. But I’m doing it anyway: Lane Hutson has made it very obvious he should at least start the season with the Canadiens. https://t.co/GZLktgejXq

– Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 16, 2024

But we also need to talk a little about Logan Mailloux.

The right-handed defenseman, who acted as captain for the weekend’s games, was the experienced guy the Habs were hoping for. He wasn’t perfect, but he played solid, attacking hockey.

He also stood up for Lane Hutson, his partner.

In fact, as Simon-Olivier Lorange (La Presse) points out, Pascal Vincent believes that what we’re seeing right now is just “the tip of the iceberg” in the Ontarian’s case.

Le Canadien | ” La pointe de l’iceberg ” pour Logan Mailloux https://t.co/AheeKIHFDU

– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) September 15, 2024

Because defensemen become the best version of themselves in their late twenties, according to the Rocket pilot, Mailloux will have time to continue developing.

And Pascal Vincent obviously believes in him.

He’s got a lot of tools. I think he’ll take them to the NHL. – Pascal Vincent on Logan Mailloux

The Laval head coach took a long time to answer a question about the potential for Mailloux to transfer his skills to the NHL, so it’s safe to assume that he has his doubts.

More so than about Lane Hutson, towards whom he didn’t hesitate to answer questions.

Listen to the media availabilities following Sunday’s Hopefuls face-off against the Toronto rookies

Tune in now to live postgame media ops following Sunday’s Prospect Showdown game against the Maple Leafs rookies #GoHabsGo https://t.co/8SPmJ7fQfR

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) September 15, 2024

You’d think that playing under Vincent in Laval at the start of the season would be a real possibility for Mailloux, who was still wearing a “C” on his jersey this weekend.

That’s significant, after all that’s happened in his case over the past four years.

But we can also assume that Vincent, who has seen what a leader Mailloux has been in the room in recent days, sees a path for Mailloux to the Habs’ blue line. He must surely think he can help him get to the next level.

Remember that the Habs reportedly refused to trade Mailloux for Trevor Zegras. Isn’t that worth something?

Overtime

– It starts soon.

Cameras already set up for interviews at Canadiens golf tournament at Laval-sur-le-Lac #Habs #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/ht4iwQ15OX

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) September 16, 2024