Note: This is the first of 10 installments of a pre-training camp series asking the most important questions facing the Blues this season.
It was a shock to many Blues fans this summer when the club shipped away promising young forward Zack Bolduc for an unproven defenseman in Logan Mailloux, but Mailloux now will get his chance to play meaningful NHL minutes upon his arrival in St. Louis.
Mailloux, the No. 31 pick in the 2021 draft, arrives with the Blues after spending most of the last two seasons with Montreal’s AHL affiliate in Laval. He was an AHL All-Star twice and was named to the AHL’s All-Prospect team after posting 12 goals and 21 assists in 63 games.
Canadiens defenseman Logan Mailloux awaits a faceoff during a game against the Flyers on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia.
Matt Slocum, Associated Press
In the NHL, he’s totaled just seven games, all last season with the Canadiens.
Now, he’ll be counted on every day for the Blues.
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The right-handed Mailloux is expected to open the season on the third pairing with Tyler Tucker, potentially forming a physical pair that can receive sheltered minutes away from other team’s top lines, and Mailloux should challenge for playing time on one of the power play units. With Cam Fowler quarterbacking one unit, Mailloux, Justin Faulk and Philip Broberg should be in contention to run the point on the other one.
Offense has come easily for Mailloux in his career. He was almost a point-per-game defenseman during his time with London in the OHL and put up 80 points during his 135 AHL games. With a 6-3, 213-pound frame and a booming shot from the blue line, the 22-year-old Mailloux brings offensive upside that the Blues lacked among their young defensemen (outside of Broberg).
Long-term, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong views Mailloux as a top-four defenseman, he said when the team acquired him on July 1. But the Blues also understand he is a bit of a project, the team will need to be patient with him and that the defensive side of the puck is unpolished.
So with Mailloux, when can he turn that potential into production?
Kings right wing Adrian Kempe, left, reaches for the puck along with Canadiens defensemen Logan Mailloux, center, and Mike Matheson during the second period of a game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Last season, the Blues saw almost immediate dividends with offer sheet acquisitions Broberg and Dylan Holloway, which led to their season-long production in surprise campaigns. Broberg scored in the season opener and had 12 points in his first 15 games. Holloway, meanwhile, had a seven-game point streak as soon as Jim Montgomery arrived to coach the Blues on his way to a 63-point season.
If the Blues could receive a similar start from Mailloux, the questions about his acquisition might fade easily. More importantly, though, it could cauterize a Blues defense that will get younger next season.
St. Louis will return Fowler, 33, and Colton Parayko, 32, on the top pair, plus Faulk, 33, among their top four. After that? It’s up to 25-year-old Tucker, 24-year-old Broberg and 22-year-old Mailloux to carry the mail. Waiting in the wings? It’s 25-year-old Matthew Kessel.
The Blues said goodbye to 40-year-old Ryan Suter in free agency, even though he was the only St. Louis defenseman to play all 82 games. He became a healthy scratch in the postseason. They also waived 34-year-old Nick Leddy, who was claimed by the Sharks.
With Mailloux’s acquisition, Armstrong and the Blues front office continued to revamp their young defensive corps. In the last year-plus, St. Louis has acquired Broberg and Mailloux, in addition to drafting Adam Jiricek, Colin Ralph and Lukas Fischer with first and second-round picks.
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