Logan Mailloux

[a smell of green grass]

Just to add one more element to this topic……..we have now seen that the trade was not a “Steal of the century” for Montreal, an assessment based on a 4-game heater for one of the players to start the season. Both players are a work in progress, and it might very well end up being a situation where both guys end up as fringe players, or both end up as middle-of-the-pack guys, maybe more. All of the early season hyperventilating based on Bolduc s hot start (and Mailloux’s poor start) really led to a wildly biased view of this trade that is only now going away.

Still hoping this deal is a win/win for both teams.

We all knew what Bolduc was at the current point in time. We certainly liked his toughness, which is something we lack on the whole bench. He also showed signs of improving.

What did we know about Mailloux? Answer: Army and Blues Scouts disagreed with the rest of the hockey world and Canadian fans. The world told us that Mailloux lacks defensive IQ, etc. Army told us that Mailloux is ready to make the team. He is ready to earn a spot. He has great offensive weapons that can be useful.

I objected to the trade because WE WERE LIKELY NOT GETTING IN RETURN WHAT ARMY SAID WE WERE GETTING. And then what happened? Mailloux was NOT NEAR READY. What offense? By adding Mailloux, we subtracted Fowler.

By Army's own words, we LOST this trade. We did not get a "ready" defenseman that brings offense. That is what Army was EXPECTING in the trade for Bolduc.

Regarding the long-term, the only thing we know is that Army HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT from Mailloux. How do I know this? Because when you are so horribly wrong on Day 1, you can't be trusted to know where we will be in Year 2.

Where did Army state “we lost this trade?”

Army said that we were getting a ready defenseman. Mailloux wasn't and is still far from it.

If you trade $5 for a great cup of coffee, and the coffee is not close, did you lose the trade?

That is what I mean by "own words".

[a smell of green grass]

ASSOGG, I stopped reading at "rest of the hockey world". That's outright dishonest. He was an AHL All-Star. Last I looked AHL was a significant part of the "hockey world".

What Mailloux is or was in the AHL is immaterial.

The book on Mailloux was that he lacked defensive IQ required for the NHL.

Army told us that Mailloux can overcome this.

Who is more correct? The book or Army?

Hmmm. We shall see.

[a smell of green grass]

Everyone should be very concerned that the MISS on where Mailloux was Day 1 is so big. What scout(s) is feeding Army this information?!!!

The 2026 draft has 4 or 5 highly-touted RHD, and the Blues desperately need a great RHD--especially a strong Power-play contributor. The Blues are very likely to be in the draft position to have their pick of the lot.

This brings me to my main concern about "Mailloux". I'm much more concerned about Mailloux's evaluators than Mailloux the player.

Do the Blues know what to look for in a RHD?!!!! WILL THEY PICK THE RIGHT ONE?!

[hockey jedi]

Mailloux is gonna be fine. Anyone remember how bad Prongs was? We just have to suffer through the growing pains. He missed an assignment on Columbus first goal. He got caught puck watching instead of marking the back door Lundestrom. I was disappointed to see Bolduc go and wish would have kept him, but I am happy with Mailoux. The kid has too good of a pedigree to not be good.

[Old_Goat]

Agree. Nice assessment.

+1

+2
If you predicted/polled this forum two months ago that he would be playing as he is now at this point in time, then I believe the predominant answer by those polled again today would be that his improvement is surprisingly much more than adequate.
I say again, he'll be fine

[MiamiLaw]

Pro
1. Improvement is better than not improvement
2. As you say there's lots of projects going on so it's a throwaway season so of all times to learn, throwaway seasons at least it's not his fault

Con
1. we are talking about improvement from an abysmal baseline (see Kyrou, Jordan) and the improvement is still openly inadequate
2. more continued misjudgment from the front office on NHL defense in a situation where everyone correctly doubts them (they expected much better than whatever this still is)

100% couldn’t say it much better

[BleedingBleu]

Just to add one more element to this topic……..we have now seen that the trade was not a “Steal of the century” for Montreal, an assessment based on a 4-game heater for one of the players to start the season. Both players are a work in progress, and it might very well end up being a situation where both guys end up as fringe players, or both end up as middle-of-the-pack guys, maybe more. All of the early season hyperventilating based on Bolduc s hot start (and Mailloux’s poor start) really led to a wildly biased view of this trade that is only now going away.

Still hoping this deal is a win/win for both teams.

We all knew what Bolduc was at the current point in time. We certainly liked his toughness, which is something we lack on the whole bench. He also showed signs of improving.

What did we know about Mailloux? Answer: Army and Blues Scouts disagreed with the rest of the hockey world and Canadian fans. The world told us that Mailloux lacks defensive IQ, etc. Army told us that Mailloux is ready to make the team. He is ready to earn a spot. He has great offensive weapons that can be useful.

I objected to the trade because WE WERE LIKELY NOT GETTING IN RETURN WHAT ARMY SAID WE WERE GETTING. And then what happened? Mailloux was NOT NEAR READY. What offense? By adding Mailloux, we subtracted Fowler.

By Army's own words, we LOST this trade. We did not get a "ready" defenseman that brings offense. That is what Army was EXPECTING in the trade for Bolduc.

Regarding the long-term, the only thing we know is that Army HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT from Mailloux. How do I know this? Because when you are so horribly wrong on Day 1, you can't be trusted to know where we will be in Year 2.

Where did Army state “we lost this trade?”

Army said that we were getting a ready defenseman. Mailloux wasn't and is still far from it.

If you trade $5 for a great cup of coffee, and the coffee is not close, did you lose the trade?

That is what I mean by "own words".

So, he didn’t actually say they lost the trade and the Blues did receive a defenseman with 553 minutes this year at the NHL level. It may not be as much time as Bolduc has spent on ice (748 @ an average of 13.37 minutes), but Mailloux has averaged more time on ice (13:50) in general and that includes the last month, where Bolduc accumulated 200’ in 16 Games vs Mailloux at 191’ in just 13 Games.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Agree. Nice assessment.

+1

+2
If you predicted/polled this forum two months ago that he would be playing as he is now at this point in time, then I believe the predominant answer by those polled again today would be that his improvement is surprisingly much more than adequate.
I say again, he'll be fine

agreed. heck, there's even a dedicated thread about how he shouldn't even be in the nhl lol

[SweeneyAstray]

Good observations in this thread.

Undeniably improved play from LM. I’ve even stopped calling him Maalox. I don’t mind seeing the “L’s” if I can see growth and effort. This kid is (all the youngsters, really) bringing this nightly.

I’m more surprised we aren’t all complaining about #89’s abysmal play, especially last night: -3 across several defensive pairings behind him.

Seems to me it might be a forward problem more than a rookie D problem.

Review the series on the first CB goal: #17 pressures out high and is late coming back. LM drops into the low slot to back fill, and #89 should have more aggressively asserted his presence in the high slot. Blues are playing a pressure the man and puck defensive scheme (not true man-to-man) and LM was caught between coaching scheme (his zone and technically his man) because #89 forgot he was playing center and #17 thought he was covered.

Definitely a “what’s the best play here” situation that only comes with experience, which he is getting.

I’m a fan now, and I HATED the trade.

[a smell of green grass]

Just to add one more element to this topic……..we have now seen that the trade was not a “Steal of the century” for Montreal, an assessment based on a 4-game heater for one of the players to start the season. Both players are a work in progress, and it might very well end up being a situation where both guys end up as fringe players, or both end up as middle-of-the-pack guys, maybe more. All of the early season hyperventilating based on Bolduc s hot start (and Mailloux’s poor start) really led to a wildly biased view of this trade that is only now going away.

Still hoping this deal is a win/win for both teams.

We all knew what Bolduc was at the current point in time. We certainly liked his toughness, which is something we lack on the whole bench. He also showed signs of improving.

What did we know about Mailloux? Answer: Army and Blues Scouts disagreed with the rest of the hockey world and Canadian fans. The world told us that Mailloux lacks defensive IQ, etc. Army told us that Mailloux is ready to make the team. He is ready to earn a spot. He has great offensive weapons that can be useful.

I objected to the trade because WE WERE LIKELY NOT GETTING IN RETURN WHAT ARMY SAID WE WERE GETTING. And then what happened? Mailloux was NOT NEAR READY. What offense? By adding Mailloux, we subtracted Fowler.

By Army's own words, we LOST this trade. We did not get a "ready" defenseman that brings offense. That is what Army was EXPECTING in the trade for Bolduc.

Regarding the long-term, the only thing we know is that Army HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT from Mailloux. How do I know this? Because when you are so horribly wrong on Day 1, you can't be trusted to know where we will be in Year 2.

Where did Army state “we lost this trade?”

Army said that we were getting a ready defenseman. Mailloux wasn't and is still far from it.

If you trade $5 for a great cup of coffee, and the coffee is not close, did you lose the trade?

That is what I mean by "own words".

So, he didn’t actually say they lost the trade and the Blues did receive a defenseman with 553 minutes this year at the NHL level. It may not be as much time as Bolduc has spent on ice (748 @ an average of 13.37 minutes), but Mailloux has averaged more time on ice (13:50) in general and that includes the last month, where Bolduc accumulated 200’ in 16 Games vs Mailloux at 191’ in just 13 Games.

Army traded Bolduc for what was supposed to be an NHL-ready defenseman that contributes on offense. He's not, 4 months later. Army should have shopped elsewhere if that is what he expected in return for Bolduc.

Will Mailloux, ever TURN INTO what Army said that he would be on Day 1? Don't know. However, I know the old saying well. The longer it takes for a player to make the NHL, the less of an impact he will bring. Mailloux was Montreal's 4th best defense prospect, so I'm not holding my breath.

[seattleblue]

Pro
1. Improvement is better than not improvement
2. As you say there's lots of projects going on so it's a throwaway season so of all times to learn, throwaway seasons at least it's not his fault

Con
1. we are talking about improvement from an abysmal baseline (see Kyrou, Jordan) and the improvement is still openly inadequate
2. more continued misjudgment from the front office on NHL defense in a situation where everyone correctly doubts them (they expected much better than whatever this still is)

100% couldn’t say it much better

thanks I almost referenced this summer's podcasting blues universe optimism that all homers jumped on. I was going to mention the Pronger thing because, while it's a hilarious self caricature of a homer comment to say that, I felt like it was in the rearview mirror

Nope, that is still around. dear lord, just a few posts up ... the pro Mailloux side just isn't trustworthy

[a smell of green grass]

Let's cut to the chase...

Mailloux was Army's latest attempt at finding a good RHD without a HIGH draft pick--which is how the vast majority of them are acquired.

Mailloux was needed because Jiricek, Army's 2nd-latest attempt at finding a good RHD, was not showing that much promise.

And now we find ourselves in TOP5 territory. Army is going to get the TOP5 pick that he told us he would never need.

Does Army know what an elite RHD prospect looks like? I don't see much evidence that he does. At this point in the season, that is the much bigger concern than if Mailloux can start taking some slapshots every once in a while.

[SweeneyAstray]

I suspect fans who are reluctant to adjust this kid’s (LM) timeline to align with what is clearly the team’s new timeline are going to be miserable for the next few years.

I see A LOT of young talent to get excited about, and the addition of what could be a top 5 game breaker this year fits that schedule nicely.

This is going to be a dynamic team.
Just got to let the scab that is the current roster fall off…

[Atlantis17A]

Good analysis dhsux.

[SameOldBlues]

Admittedly a fan and definitely try to follow his play as close as I can. I know he has his detractors here as well so I thought I'd ask how every one thinks he is working out.

Breaking his 49 games down on just +/- it goes...... first 13 games -12, next 14 games -8 and last 13 games -3 at 14.44 mpg.

For the 13 Jan games here's the D core comparison:
Faulk +2
Fowler -1
Broberg +2
CP -2
Tucker -1
Mailloux -3

Plus/minus is fallible and always debated but for me I've seen definite progress in his play that correlates very close to what these numbers say. Basically IMO the progress in his defensive play has correlated with these numbers and spells, IMO, good things to come.

His offense has been disappointing. OK...stat-wise bad. 1 assist in 13 games. 4 shots. It's very odd to me, I think he has a strong passing game, a good shot, he seems to make the right decisions and he's not fumbling the puck creating turnovers. He's not some problem in the Ozone. I am convinced he's deliberately playing a cautious nearly timid offensive game, overly focusing on his defensive responsibilities and pretty much to his offensive detriment. And further, I'm pretty sure he is doing this correctly for the now. I think his offensive skills are there for the taking once he gets settled in with more experience on both ends.

I do view Mailloux as a project but keep in mind with the way this team has played this year there's about a dozen other projects out there on the ice as well which has likely not helped him out too much.

Can't say for sure but for me, I'd put it 80/20 the Blues have their top 4 RHD guy they were looking for.

Great assessment, thanks for puttin in the work.

There’s not a doubt in my mind he’s progressing and is passin the eye test defensively, but Im also disappointed in his offense to date. But there’s also not a doubt in my mind that the coaches are actively havin him concentrate on his D exclusively almost. Like I keep saying, it’s all about the process.

You can see how good he skates, and you can see how hard he shoots, and you can see he gets it on net too, and you can see his passes are usually sharp, I still feel like itll all come together and he’ll be a nice physical Top 4 D by time he hits the magical 200 game mark.

Its been less than 50 games, and he’s made noticeable progress, to say otherwise is simply wrong. As much (bleep) as he’s been dealt simply for bein traded for some people’s fetishboy Bokduc who’s still a below 20 goal scorer a season, I hope he keeps improving and showin the impatient crowd he’ll be an asset in sue time.

[Bluesfan1978]

He was on the ice with a Minute to go last night to try and tie the game. He's also been getting close to 15 mins a night vs 8-10 earlier in the year.