Huge demotion for Logan Mailloux

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is focused on the team’s future and was in Edmonton over the weekend to get to know consensus No. 1 pick in the draft Shane Wright over dinner.

While it is believed that the Canadiens are expected to select Wright with the No. 1 overall pick in the July 7-8 NHL entry draft at the Bell Centre, Hughes is not only setting his sights on the prospects at the draft, but also the ones that were selected prior to his arrival at the Habs’ front office.

Hughes revealed that he is not negotiating with Logan Mailloux, the team’s first-round pick (31st overall) last year. The GM explained how Mailloux remains “under probation” and the Canadiens continue to monitor his progress in a counselling program set up after he was charged in Sweden with distributing a sex tape.

“We want to make sure he continues to do everything he promised to improve as a person and as a teammate,” said Hughes in his presser.

As you may remember, Mailloux was suspended from the OHL and requested that he NOT be selected in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (which then-Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin ignored) after having been charged in Sweden with defamation. Mailloux was ordered to pay a $1,650 fine after recording and sharing a video of an 18 year old performing oral sex on him without the women’s consent. Once news of Mailloux’s charge became public the backlash against him and the Knights has been swift. Mailloux apologized for his actions and paid his fine. Again, he requested that he NOT be drafted at the 2021 Draft so that he could have a chance to redeem himself this season. Then Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin drafted Mailloux anyways and faced even more backlash than Mailloux himself.

The OHL reinstated Mailloux because they were satisfied with the counselling he has undergone and that he committed to continue to never repeat his mistakes. While this is a step in the right direction, Hughes wants to be sure Mailloux still makes progress before getting a chance at a roster spot in Montreal.

Mailloux is not under contract with the Canadiens, though they do hold his rights. If the Habs release him, Mailloux could be eligible for the 2023 NHL draft.

He will need to prove to the Canadiens and GM Hughes that he can be the man and teammate they expect him to be in the future.