(Buffalo) Theoretically, Logan Mailloux should take the next step in his career this fall: he will make the jump to the pros. In Laval, barring a surprise at camp.
To do this, Mailloux will however have to obtain the authorization of the commissioner of the National League, Gary Bettman, who had indicated, last weekend in Las Vegas, that he planned to meet the former 1st round choice of the Canadiens after the Stanley Cup final.
Kent Hughes is obviously well aware of the case, first because it is his job as GM, then because his former agency, Quartexx, represented the defender.
“Since arriving in Montreal, I’ve been made aware of all the work he’s been doing to improve as a person and to be more aware,” Hughes said in his Thursday morning scrum. to the NHL tryout camp for the draft. Logan has worked hard. We are proud of his efforts. »
Hughes added that he is hopeful that the meeting with Bettman “will go well.”
Three Mailloux teammates are present at the evaluation camp this week. One of them, Oliver Bonk, was particularly complimentary of the player drafted 31st overall in 2021. In response to a general question about Mailloux’s impact on the Knights this season, Bonk l described as a “special” player.
“He’s good at scoring, for the attacking side. He was a leader, a mentor for young people, “said the son of the former Canadian Radek Bonk.
Oliver Bonk added that Mailloux was very open about the crime of a sexual nature he committed in Sweden, which earned him a conviction in the form of a fine, and a suspension of half a season. fall 2021.
“He knows he made a mistake and he’s very open with the group,” the defender said. He grew out of it.
Easton Cowan, a forward with the Knights, also had good words for Mailloux. “He got a lot of points. He’s a good leader and a good guy. He taught me a lot, he leads by example. He works hard and it looks like he wants to get good,” Cowan said.
Mailloux had 53 points in 59 games in London this season, before adding 24 points in 21 playoff appearances, leading the Knights to the Finals, where they lost to Peterborough.
It remains to be seen what Gary Bettman will say about it. Last season, Mailloux notably followed therapy, as well as a plan with an academic and personal development advisor. His efforts had convinced the Canadiens to give him a contract that fall, but a month later, in the wake of the controversy surrounding the hiring of Mitchell Miller by the Bruins, Bettman had indicated that his approval would be required.
Obviously, the Pierre-Luc Dubois file was invited to this press briefing. The colleague from The Athletic Pierre LeBrun revealed this week that the Quebecer wishes to pursue his career elsewhere than in Winnipeg. Information has been circulating for months that Dubois aims to play in Montreal. However, the Jets still own the rights to Dubois, who will become a restricted free agent on July 1. “I can’t talk about players from other teams, so I can’t comment on Pierre-Luc, or Carter Hart if there are any other questions,” Hughes said, smirking. We will always look for ways to improve the team, but not in the short term. »
Hughes has confirmed that he is keen for Nick Suzuki to remain the club’s highest earner for the time being. On Monday, Cole Caufield signed an 8-year contract with an average annual value of $7.85 million, $25,000 less than Suzuki. Hughes, however, took the opportunity to praise the attractiveness of the Montreal market to players. “I often hear that players don’t want to play in Montreal. Not players or agents, but we hear it often. It may have been true in the past, but [today] I disagree. Players are happy when they are in a good environment and playing good hockey. It’s important to us. Cole wanted to be here and it’s a message to others that good players everywhere want to play in Montreal. »
Hughes also indicated that he had suggested to Samuel Montembeault to accept Canada’s invitation to participate in the World Championship. The goaltender eventually took on the No. 1 role and helped Canada win gold. “We’ve seen it all year. It’s not easy to play in Montreal, even if we were in a context where we weren’t fighting for the Stanley Cup. Sam has a certain calm and we were convinced that he would be good at the World Championship. We are very proud of him. »
