HockeyWriters: Bolduc / Mailloux. Read at your own risk

[TheJackBurton]

Read at your own risk. It's quite upsetting to me as a Blues fan.

Looks like Army OVERESTIMATED Mailloux, and UNDERESTIMATED Bolduc.

https://thehockeywriters.com/canadiens- ... iddle-six/

Thanks, Army.

You know, I wasn’t a big fan of this deal because I thought Bolduc has scoring skills and grit which are always a good asset in hockey. But I can understand why Army made the deal, since we needed defense.

So, I’ll wait and see if Mailloux fills the bill or not.

In the meantime, however, why don’t you give this issue a rest for a while. We all know your opinion by now.

My goal is to make sure that fans are aware that we didn't trade Bolduc for Mailloux in isolation. That trade happened because "we needed defense" as you say, and that is the heart of the problem. Why did we need defense? Why are we in such lousy shape in 2025 on that issue when Pietrangelo left 5+ years ago.

Newsflash, Blues fans:
If Mailloux doesn't solve the problem, in 2026 we will still NEED DEFENSE, and Army has no way to acquire it, and no scouting department that could find it if it hit them in the rear end.

yes we did.

[seattleblue]

Yes they are trying multiple ways to address RHD and right now there are three non ideal ways:

1. Faulk. He is up and down. He's a vet, he knows what to do. Some games he will look great, he will have 2 assists and folks will make their point about how he's totally fine. Then he will have stretches where it's clear they cannot go deep in the postseason with Faulk.

For right now, he has the minutes.

2. Mailloux is a raw prospect with offensive attribute upside and he is learning on the job how to play defense. This very well might be a bad option.

For right now, there is still time where it can be a good option. How many points do the Blues have to forfeit while he learns is the question.

3. Jiricek is a nonzero possibility. Physical tools, the question for me is his mental discipline and being more automatic in his game. Needs reps and time.


What's happening is they're now going to see how the first half of the season plays out with Faulk & Mailloux. Depending on what they talk themselves into on Mailloux, they might need to pull off this year's midseason Hampus Lindholm acquisition trading a 1st + prospect. They were definitely considering moving Kyrou for defense before the NTC kicked in but Dobson refused to go West. The Blues really needed Dobson and Bolduc more than Kyrou and Mailloux. Sometimes you don't win the offseason and we did not this time.

But that's sports. if you're a man you compete. You take what's there and make it better. if you're a little baby girl you cry and whine until everyone's as miserable as you and you have to endlessly hammer your pessimism before the results are even in.

[Backesdraft]

Vince Dunn, Mikkola, Walman all had some rough games their first NHL season as well. Tucker is no different this year and he has several games expierence.

Nope. That’s where you’re wrong. Every young defensemen came into this league fully formed and perfectly ready to meet expectations. There was no growth that needed to happen, no learning curve. Every defenseman outside of LM was absolutely as advertised and perfect starting with their very first shift. (Insert blue font).

ASOGG tell your mom I said hi. Sorry if we kept you up last night. I know how thin those walls are in the basement.

[seattleblue]

Speaking of Jiricek. In a couple of minutes Brantford is about to host Ottawa so we can get a look at him back in junior without other games competing for attention

[Harry S Deals]

Yes they are trying multiple ways to address RHD and right now there are three non ideal ways:

1. Faulk. He is up and down. He's a vet, he knows what to do. Some games he will look great, he will have 2 assists and folks will make their point about how he's totally fine. Then he will have stretches where it's clear they cannot go deep in the postseason with Faulk.

For right now, he has the minutes.

2. Mailloux is a raw prospect with offensive attribute upside and he is learning on the job how to play defense. This very well might be a bad option.

For right now, there is still time where it can be a good option. How many points do the Blues have to forfeit while he learns is the question.

3. Jiricek is a nonzero possibility. Physical tools, the question for me is his mental discipline and being more automatic in his game. Needs reps and time.


What's happening is they're now going to see how the first half of the season plays out with Faulk & Mailloux. Depending on what they talk themselves into on Mailloux, they might need to pull off this year's midseason Hampus Lindholm acquisition trading a 1st + prospect. They were definitely considering moving Kyrou for defense before the NTC kicked in but Dobson refused to go West. The Blues really needed Dobson and Bolduc more than Kyrou and Mailloux. Sometimes you don't win the offseason and we did not this time.

But that's sports. if you're a man you compete. You take what's there and make it better. if you're a little baby girl you cry and whine until everyone's as miserable as you and you have to endlessly hammer your pessimism before the results are even in.

The Blues wont be pulling the plug on Mailloux and trading for a RHD midseason thats not going to happen. They will continue to coach the kid up they've seen far more of LM in practice, meetings, etc than we have and he was fine vs Calgary for his 10th NHL game. Kessel can play if LM bottoms out there will be no rush to panic. The Blues top 4 are more than capable of carrying the team as they did last night granted a ton of PK time

[seattleblue]

Yes they are trying multiple ways to address RHD and right now there are three non ideal ways:

1. Faulk. He is up and down. He's a vet, he knows what to do. Some games he will look great, he will have 2 assists and folks will make their point about how he's totally fine. Then he will have stretches where it's clear they cannot go deep in the postseason with Faulk.

For right now, he has the minutes.

2. Mailloux is a raw prospect with offensive attribute upside and he is learning on the job how to play defense. This very well might be a bad option.

For right now, there is still time where it can be a good option. How many points do the Blues have to forfeit while he learns is the question.

3. Jiricek is a nonzero possibility. Physical tools, the question for me is his mental discipline and being more automatic in his game. Needs reps and time.


What's happening is they're now going to see how the first half of the season plays out with Faulk & Mailloux. Depending on what they talk themselves into on Mailloux, they might need to pull off this year's midseason Hampus Lindholm acquisition trading a 1st + prospect. They were definitely considering moving Kyrou for defense before the NTC kicked in but Dobson refused to go West. The Blues really needed Dobson and Bolduc more than Kyrou and Mailloux. Sometimes you don't win the offseason and we did not this time.

But that's sports. if you're a man you compete. You take what's there and make it better. if you're a little baby girl you cry and whine until everyone's as miserable as you and you have to endlessly hammer your pessimism before the results are even in.

The Blues wont be pulling the plug on Mailloux and trading for a RHD midseason thats not going to happen. They will continue to coach the kid up they've seen far more of LM in practice, meetings, etc than we have and he was fine vs Calgary for his 10th NHL game. Kessel can play if LM bottoms out there will be no rush to panic. The Blues top 4 are more than capable of carrying the team as they did last night granted a ton of PK time

That's not what I'm saying. They acquired Fowler midseason despite having plenty of prospects on LHD. Acquiring such a player wouldn't be pulling the plug on Mailloux, it would be resetting the expectations about how quickly he is going to take heavy right side minutes that a playoff contender requires. The Blues can't just wait around for him, they have too many pieces in their prime or young prime along with affordable young players who will be future pricey players but not yet.

Didn't you pass along "baby Parayko" as the hype on LM?

We've talked before about Jiricek, who is just finished spazzing his way through a 1st period against the Ottawa 67s. He got out of position a few times in the o zone and was hit and miss defensively. just got in a huge slash fight in front of the net while the other team scored. Jay McKee, he of the flowery Jiricek quote from many months ago, is not giving him top minutes despite him being 19yo in his D+2 in a league of 16-20 olds.

My point on both players is there is a long road to go and there is more legit doubt than hope with both players, despite the existence of hope. As Faulk shows his age spots, they are going to at minimum need a vet over there if they want to bolster for this season.

[BudOnTap]

It’s really past time to stop giving this idiot oxygen with responses, folks. Come on, I have faith in you guys. You can do it.

[Francis Park Thug]

It’s really past time to stop giving this idiot oxygen with responses, folks. Come on, I have faith in you guys. You can do it.

They can't do it. Like moths to a flame.

[seattleblue]

It’s really past time to stop giving this idiot oxygen with responses, folks. Come on, I have faith in you guys. You can do it.

They can't do it. Like moths to a flame.

I tried this summer but yes, it can't be done.

All we can do is ask the guy to decide not to make umpteen threads. He won't, so. It'll remain exactly like it is

[Bluesfan1978]

Speaking of Jiricek. In a couple of minutes Brantford is about to host Ottawa so we can get a look at him back in junior without other games competing for attention

Loved the hit he made in the O zone. The Blues can use that

[seattleblue]

Speaking of Jiricek. In a couple of minutes Brantford is about to host Ottawa so we can get a look at him back in junior without other games competing for attention

Loved the hit he made in the O zone. The Blues can use that

You saw that? It turned around his whole game and he had an impressive third

[Bluesfan1978]

I just started watching a shift or two prior to the hit. I thought he played great what I saw. I also didn’t realize Gary Robert’s is head of player development for the Bulldogs. I’m would think that’s good for Jiricek as well.

[Mr.Snuggleupagus]

This part just [fork]ing kills me…

With stats like that though, it kind of makes one wonder why the Blues traded him, willingly (right?), to the Canadiens for an unproven talent in Logan Mailloux. Even taking into account their need for young defensemen, Mailloux’s issues on defense have been well-documented. While the potential is there, he’s not necessarily even a top-six defenseman. He certainly can be, but he is a lot to prove. For him they gave up a forward in the midst of establishing himself as an everyday NHLer, who’s now in the process of showing he’s something significantly more.

That just doesn't make a lot of sense.

Before the incident he was projected a top 15-20 talent.

He has to learn to play at the NHL level, once he does that he'll be more valuable than Bolduc.

Bolduc is likely a 20-25 45-50 point winger most years. 30 goals is likely his high mark, but likely between 15-20 most years.

I still have no issue whatsoever giving that up.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that. I bet he'll top 30 this year.

[blues2112]

Pretty sure even Reed Low had a 3 game stretch where he played better than the top players in the league.
Too easy for clickbait when the season is half a week old.

Reed Low!

I think his best three-game stretch was in March 2003, in which he accumulated one assist, was +1 and had 39 PIM!

Otherwise, his game stat lines are an ocean of zeros.

[TAFKAP]

Vince Dunn, Mikkola, Walman all had some rough games their first NHL season as well. Tucker is no different this year and he has several games expierence. Everyone with an oz of hockey knowledge knew in the immediate future that this was a Habs win. Let’s revisit this in 3-4 years when Mailloux is 25-26

It's like when the Blues had a PPG winger, a guy whose last full season with the Blues he hit 102 points, and traded him for a former #2 OA defenseman who couldn't get out of his own end. Tools, but no box. Got booed RELENTLESSLY every time he touched the puck. Blues fans were so hard on him for who he was traded for, he even mentioned it in his speech, the night they raised his numbers to the rafters.

Blues fans didn't give 2 [censored] about his "potential". All they knew was Chris Pronger was traded for Brendan Shanahan who went and put up 78 points in 95-96 for lowly HARTFORD. We knew the Blues got ROBBED on that one. Anyone watching the 1995-96 Whalers knew the Blues got taken to the woodshed. GM got fired the next year.

The jury is out 2 years minimum.

[TBone]

Newsflash

Newsflash... You need to get a life Eeyore.