Logan Mailloux was drafted by the Canadiens in 2021. He was taken 31st overall because no other team would draft him in that position based on his off-ice issues that were well-documented. That didn’t mean he couldn’t play hockey, because he can and he is developing in Laval.
Last year, Mailloux had 13 goals and 47 points. Those are gaudy numbers for a defenseman in the AHL. According to InStat, he’s averaging 2:24 on the power play, and 1:37 on the penalty kill. Those are both good signs.
Mailloux is averaging 4.3 shots per game. When he gets to the next level that will drop. There’s only so many touches that you can get and he’s not going to be on top pairing. His 5-on-5 offender id going to be a key going forward.
The fact that he’s winning puck battles at a rate of 54% is encouraging for the Canadiens. The offense was always going to be there but this part of his game and one other had to improve.
His defensive zone starts are now at 23%. That’s big. He’s handling his own end. Winning puck battles and he’s keeping his PIMS in check. This year is going to be a big reason why he’s rounding out his game for the next step.
Mailloux has gotten eight games so far with Montreal and next year he will battle for a job at the age of 22.
