Disavowal towards Logan Mailloux? Kent Hughes tries to make a move
The Canadiens are far from having a catastrophic start to the season, and it could continue as the injured players slowly return.
The players seem to believe they can participate in the playoffs this season, and they are right to aim high. The opposite would really be bad for their confidence.
Speaking of confidence, there are several young players in the organization, and they need ice time to continue to improve. It is true that the NHL is not a development league, but when there are four rookies on the same team, there is necessarily development.
Even veterans continue to develop throughout their careers, otherwise they cannot last 20 years in the NHL. They end up not adjusting anymore.
Back to the Canadiens, Logan Mailloux is a young defenseman who needs ice time. That's why I was personally happy to see him start in Laval, as long as he played on the 3rd pair or worse, as the 7th defenseman in Montreal.
Now that he's been recalled, he's doing a good job and he deserves to stay with the Canadiens, even to have more responsibilities. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen and his return to Laval is imminent.
According to Elliotte Friedman, Frank Seravalli, Pierre LeBrun and David Pagnotta, four highly respected NHL insiders, Kent Hughes is looking for a top-4 right-shot defenseman.
For Logan Mailloux, Justin Barron and David Savard, it's pretty special to hear that. The Canadiens already have a good veteran and two young right-shot defensemen, but that's not enough.
This is where we shouldn't think of a disavowal, but more of a desire to make the playoffs now, when the youngsters aren't ready to fill that role yet. Kent Hughes absolutely wants to help his team make the playoffs this year.
We'll see what happens over time, but one thing is for sure, Kent Hughes will not sacrifice youth.
