The identity of the defenseman who's the closest to Montreal is known.

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Carl Vaillancourt
April 11, 2024 (11:45)

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The Montreal Canadiens' first-round pick in 2021, Logan Mailloux, impressed experts during his debut season in the professional ranks, tallying 14 goals and 44 points in 68 games with Laval this season. According to his head coach, Jean-François Houle, he is top prospect at the blue line than he have seen this year.

With a veritable nursery of promising young defensemens on the blue line, the Montreal Canadiens organization will have decisions to make. Among these decisions, Logan Mailloux is part of the organization's plans according to the Laval Rocket's head coach.

During an interview on the Les Amateurs de Sports show on 98.5 Sports, Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle revealed some interesting informations. He mentioned that Logan Mailloux was the closest one to a fulltime position in the NHL at this time.

This is because number 94 was solid with the Rocket this year. His collection of 44 points, including 14 goals, in 68 games, places him third among the top-scoring defensemen. He was among the elite of the league alongside Zellweger, Clarke, and many others.

Recently, the Canadiens' first-round pick in 2023, David Reinbacher, joined the defensive of Laval. At 19, the fifth overall pick in the last draft made a good impression with two goals and two assists in eight games, but he is still young. It's important to give him the time to adjust his game to North American hockey style.

With Harris, Struble, Hutson, Reinbacher, and Mailloux, some defensemen could find themselves elsewhere in the short term. There are many quality prospects on the blue line, but only six or seven defensemen can play every night. It's not a bad idea to have two or three reserves, but it's important to ensure that they can continue to progress within the Habs system.

Logan Mailloux with Martin St-Louis's troop soon?

In the head of the Rocket's coach, there's no doubt. Logan Mailloux is next in line to join the team led by Martin St-Louis. He didn't stop praising his protege during the interview.

"Logan Mailloux had an excellent season for a rookie year. He's a big guy. He plays with confidence. It's certain that he will be knocking on the door of the NHL next year. He has a good skating stride and a very good wrist shot. His skating stride, for me, is what sets him apart." - Jean-François Houle

He's not the only one who sees Logan Mailloux in his soup. RDS analyst Gaston Therrien holds the young defenseman in high esteem. He even made a bold prediction during a recent episode of Antichambre. The defenseman will start the season in Montreal and will not return to Laval for the entire 2024-2025 campaign.

In other words, Logan Mailloux will be a regular on the defensive brigade night after night next season.