Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Top MVP Candidates
Logan Mailloux
Logan Mailloux seems to walk or skate around with a large question mark hovering above his head due to the lack of hockey he played, just 75 OHL games through three seasons. But he has grown physically, and his offensive game has elite-level qualities that look to be translatable to the NHL level. While he did miss significant time, he benefitted from having perhaps the best coaching in junior hockey from Dale Hunter, who used Mailloux as his go-to defenseman.
Mailloux answered the bell and was a steady presence on the penalty kill, putting an emphasis on improving his positioning and making a constant effort to support his defensive partner with smart puck play. He was also the most utilized blueliner on the power play, and he took advantage of the opportunity, using his fantastic mobility to get himself open to create plays or get into the soft areas to use his wicked shot. His skating and physical strength stand out every time he plays, and while he struggled in his first rookie showcase outing by trying to do too much, he bounced back in his next game, showing his maturity.
He has top-pairing defenseman written all over him, and he has the potential to quarterback an NHL powerplay in the future. His defensive play may never be among the best, but his ability to activate and create offence should help him become a massive piece on the Canadiens blue line for the next 10-15 years. A steady presence in all three zones who will stand up for his teammates and make the opposition look silly every chance that he gets, Mailloux could emerge as the Rocket MVP and possibly one of the AHL’s top defenders.
The Rocket will have a young and fast team in 2024, and the odds of rookies playing huge roles early on are pretty good. Solid drafting and development can be thanked for that, and it will only be a matter of time before these young, talented prospects turn into everyday NHL players. Mailloux and Roy are just a few names, but there is a strong crop of young guys, including Sean Farrell, William Trudeau and Jayden Struble, to name a few.
The future is bright, and the eventual team MVP for the Rocket could find himself in the Canadiens lineup sooner rather than later.
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