The NHLPA Rookie Showcase was held on Tuesday at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia. This year, the Montreal Canadiens had two pospects attending in Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux. Two out of 33 is a pretty good ratio and it makes up for the years when the Habs were an afterthought at those kind of events.
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Not this year, there is plenty of hope around the Canadiens’ prospects this time around. Everyone wonders if Lane Hutson’s offensive touch can translate well in the NHL when he plays against big boys. Maenwhile, Logan Mailloux’s first professional season in the AHL in Laval went as smoothly as could have been.
Speaking at the event, Mailloux explained that both of them would have the same objective this season, book a roster spot with the Canadiens. I’m no fortune teller, but if I had to bet on who has the best chance to make it, my money would be on Hutson. While Mailloux has more pro experience, he’s also got a body that is able to withstand the rough play in the AHL, Hutson, not so much.
Cole Caufield won’t be the only one with a new number following his swap to 13 to honour the memory of Johnny Gaudreau. Mailloux who wore 94 with the Canadiens last season will now be wearing 24, like he did with the Laval Rocket last season. Out with the Perry signature number and in with the Danault’s. You can see both Canadiens’ prospects in the middle of the first row, thankfully, unlike the photo that made the rounds on social media Tuesday, they did not put Hutson next to New York Rangers giant Mattew Rempe.
Rookie camp will kick off on September 11 and the Canadiens have confirmed the names of a few of the prospects who will be taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs hopefulls at the Bell Centre on Sept. 14 and 15.
Unsurprisingly, Mailloux and Hutson will be there along with two more defensemen Canadiens fans should be looking forward to see on the ice, David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom. If you’re a Reinbacher fan, don’t forget he’ll be at Collect Edition in Candiac to sign autographs tonight on Sept. 6.
Up front, Owen Beck will be hoping to have as good a camp as he did last year when he was one of the last cuts. He should have no problem doing that given how well his last junior season went, claiming the Memorial Cup as well as the MVP of the tournament.
Florian Xhekaj. freshly signed to his entry level contract at the end of June will be looking to impress. He’s also had a great season in Hamilton last year and put up 65 points along with 81 penalty minutes and a +17 rating.
Picked in the first round of the 2022 draft, Juraj Slafkovsky’s contryman and friend Filip Mesar will be attending his third training camp this season and will need to show something to get himself a spot with the Rocket this time around.
Photo credit: Sammi Siber
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