With the number of defensemen in camp and with his junior career short due to widely publicized circumstances, Logan Mailloux’s chances of starting the season in Montreal were low, on paper. The young man is, however, competitive, so his meeting with Martin St-Louis, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, where he learned that he was transferred to Laval, is not one of his good memories of recent months.
“Obviously it sucks to get demoted. But I had 24 hours to be angry and then it was back to work,” said Mailloux on Sunday after the Rocket’s 5-2 victory against the Belleville Senators in a preseason game.
“I called my family members to tell them I’m here now. I was a little angry, and it would be unusual not to be angry when you get cut. But it’s okay, I’ll improve to eventually go back. »
Mailloux has nevertheless come a long way in camp. The big right-hander participated in three preseason games and previously played in all three Habs games at the rookie tournament in Buffalo. Between September 15 and October 4, the day of his demotion, he was able to play six duels against players who were generally more experienced than those he had faced for two years in junior.
Mailloux was treated to good words from St-Louis at a press briefing last week, when the head coach reacted to his dismissal to Laval.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes up,” the coach said. We will see. Is there anyone who would put a lot of money on Logan not playing a game in the National League this year? Who wants to bet on that? Not me, because injuries happen, and the kid showed that he is capable of playing. It takes more than 20 players, it takes depth, guys capable of taking a chair while waiting for us to get healthy. »
These words were visibly similar to what he heard during his departure meeting with the leaders. “It was a good conversation, I got some good feedback on what I need to improve. But they were happy with me,” he related.
And knowing that St. Louis would “not be surprised” to see him again this season?
On Sunday, Mailloux was paired with William Trudeau. Jean-François Houle, however, said after the match that he found Trudeau “average” and did not seem fond of a duo where the two defenders tend to attack.
Houle plans to speak with the former CH 1st round pick in the coming days.
“When he came down, he was in a good state of mind,” said Houle. He knows he has to improve and he will learn here in the American League. It paid off for [Mattias] Norlinder, who had a very good camp and who gained experience here. We hope the same thing for Mailloux. »
Furthermore, if Cayden Primeau does indeed start the season in Montreal, the Rocket would therefore rely on a very young duo in front of the net.
Jakub Dobeš, 22, has yet to play pro after spending the last two seasons in the NCAA. His assistant would be Strauss Mann, a 25-year-old goaltender acquired last summer who has 20 games in the American League under his belt.
“I think we’ll make do with that,” admitted Houle. I really liked Dobeš in all his [preparatory] matches. It will be another level when the established players arrive in the American League, but he is capable of getting the job done. He had great progress in the NCAA and he got there. We don’t have much choice, this is what we’re going to have! »
On Sunday, Dobeš stopped all 11 Senators shots. Mann allowed 2 goals on 13 shots.