Since the start of the rookie camp, Pascal Vincent has repeated daily that he still knows very little of the players he is managing.
He was, after all, appointed head of the Laval Rocket barely two months ago. And he met his future flock less than a week ago.
His impressions of them are therefore essentially based on a few days of observation. Before Saturday’s game between the Canadiens’ prospects and those of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he had warned his men: it was possible that, during the game, he would refer to them by their number rather than their name.
As the week went by, he said more about some of them. Lane Hutson, in particular, the big star of the weekend. But also Logan Mailloux.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Logan Mailloux (24)
The 21-year-old defenseman needs no introduction. The 2024-2025 season will, after all, be his fourth since his controversial selection in the first round of the 2021 draft. His adaptation to the American League last year was more than seamless. With 47 points in 72 games, he finished first among rookie defensemen in the league. His taste for physical play, combined with his offensive flair, seemed perfectly built for this caliber.
Now, does he have what it takes to move up to the next level? Here, Pascal Vincent played it safe, when questioned after Sunday’s game.
As if thinking out loud, he began to list Mailloux’s strengths, starting with his skating and his big size. Also his powerful shot, as evidenced by his equalizing goal in the third period. As well as his ability to clear the front of the net, especially on a penalty kill.
Vincent also noted the way he defended Lane Hutson when he was hit hard by Marshall Finnie in the second period. He credits him with having the attributes of a leader: “a good presence and a good presence in the room.”
More specifically, the coach praised his ability to “adapt” his game to different situations. Before finally spilling the beans: “I think we’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg in his case.”
“In my experience, defensemen peak in the NHL around 26, 27, even 28 or 29 years old,” continued the Quebecer. “We see a lot of things in his case. […] He’s got a lot of tools. I think, yeah, he’s going to carry them over to the NHL.”
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Over the next few days, as things get down to business at the Canadiens’ training camp, Mailloux will no longer be the top of the class he once was within a group of rookies.
Over the next few days, as things get down to business at Canadiens training camp, Mailloux will no longer be the top of the class he once was in a group of rookies. Instead, the question will be whether he is ready enough to compete for a spot with the Habs.
He will suddenly find himself in competition with Hutson, but especially with Justin Barron, a right-hander like him, who will however have to go through waivers if he is cut. If, as one might expect, Mailloux ends up in Laval, he would this time be positioned on the first line if the Canadiens had to recall a defenseman.
What is certain is that if he is destined for the Rocket, he will find a coach there who is ready to welcome him.
“What will be interesting, if we work with him, will be to develop something so that he can fully master it,” Pascal Vincent said. “After that, we will move on to another stage.”
“He has a lot of tools,” he repeated. “And that’s the fun.”
In short
Better for Reinbacher
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
David Reinbacher
After a shaky outing the day before, David Reinbacher looked much better on Sunday. The young defender played with authority, both in the offensive zone and in his own territory, prioritizing efficiency over lace in both cases. “I felt more comfortable,” he said. “I won more battles.” Pascal Vincent also noted the improvement between the two games. The Austrian, a first-round pick by the CH in 2023 (5e in total), is still getting used to the North American ice rink, having only played 11 games with the Rocket at the end of last season when he arrived from Switzerland. “There’s the ice, but also the style of play, which is completely different,” added Vincent. “In the past, I’ve seen young players arrive from Europe, and it took them until the holidays to really get used to it.” So there’s no rush. – Simon-Olivier Lorange
Another comparison for Hutson
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Lane Hutson
Another game, another opportunity to put on a show. Lane Hutson gave the crowd their money’s worth, with tight-space sequences where the puck seemed to be magnetized to his paddle. His coaches must have had a few cold sweats, however, because some of these sequences took place deep in the defensive zone. Still, he came out unscathed each time. After the game, Pascal Vincent spoke about another small defenseman, Tobias Enström (5’10”, 180 lbs), whom he coached in Winnipeg. “These small defensemen find a way with their stick, their positioning, to recover the puck. That’s how you defend. It was the same with Josh Morrissey, a small defenseman who blocks shots, who is strong, but with a much higher IQ than average. Lane will be okay. He has the intelligence to do it.” – Guillaume Lefrançois
The little ones played big
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Filip Mesar
The trio of bigger players got the spotlight in Sunday’s game, but their smaller teammates weren’t far behind. According to team stats, the unit of Riley Kidney (2), Filip Mesar (5) and Jared Davidson (5), three forwards under 6′, had a total of 12 shots. Throughout the game, the puck seemed to stick to their sticks, and they had plenty of scoring opportunities. “Intensity and physical involvement can be done in different ways,” recalled Pascal Vincent. “For them, it was about applying pressure, then recovering and controlling the puck. They were effective today.” “We’re not the biggest, but we’re smart!” Kidney said with a smile. – Simon-Olivier Lorange
Kidney has taken the chest
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Riley Kidney (86)
Let’s stick with Riley Kidney, if you will. In his first two training camps with the Canadiens, the centerman was, at best, quiet. And in his first season in the AHL, his 20 points in 65 games marked a drastic drop-off after two 100-point hauls in the QMJHL. The Nova Scotia native admits it frankly: the “awakening” was brutal with the Laval Rocket, where he learned the hard way “how difficult it is to protect the puck against men.” He claims to have added 10 pounds of muscle over the summer. A rookie game must obviously be evaluated with caution, but he did indeed seem more solid in his one-on-one battles. Apparently, it wasn’t just an impression. “Today and yesterday, I felt more comfortable protecting the puck than I did all last season,” he confided. – Simon-Olivier Lorange
Kind words for Beck
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Owen Beck
Owen Beck didn’t get a point, but he sparked here and there up front, and drew a penalty for the Leafs. He was once again leading Montreal’s top line, with Sean Farrell and Emil Heineman alongside him. After the game, Vincent praised his physical condition as “off the charts.” “With his intelligence and his skating, he can play both center and wing. He’s in a good position,” said the Laval Rocket head coach. “He did his job. He’s in excellent physical shape. And mentally, he’s engaged, he asks questions, he’s vocal.” – Guillaume Lefrançois