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F. Xhekaj and Mailloux to start next season in Montreal (according to Anthony Marcotte)

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated May 28, 2025 7:15 PM ET

At the next training camp, there are players who will want to make their mark on the Canadiens’ roster.

Of the lot?

I’m thinking of guys like Adam Engström, Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher, Sean Farrell, Filip Mesar, Owen Beck, Logan Mailloux, Florian Xhekaj, Jared Davidson…

Among all these names, some seem to be closer to the NHL than others.

And here, you’ll understand that I’m talking mainly about Mailloux, Reinbacher, Beck and Xhekaj.

Perhaps we could add Engström to the list, because he’s been having a really good time since the start of the AHL playoffs.

But if Anthony Marcotte(BPM Sports) had a choice to make among the players who could make the club, it would be Mailloux and Xhekaj.

For him, these two guys are pretty close to Montreal:

How many Rocket players will start next season in Montreal? #rocket #Laval #mtl #montreal #Canadiens pic.twitter.com/Admb5I5xja

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) May 28, 2025

The timing might be interesting for Mailloux because he’s in the process of completing his second season in the pros – mostly in the American League.

He’s played eight NHL games so far (one in 23-24 and seven in 24-25) and has seen what it takes to play at this level. At the same time, Mailloux didn’t have a great year in Laval, and it’s safe to say he still has a ways to go before establishing himself as an NHLer .

Mailloux has trouble being consistent, as we saw in Game 5 of the series against the Americans, when he had a tough night.

And he knows it:

Friday’s inglorious evening is still fresh in his mind. https://t.co/2G44R54XGP

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 28, 2025

For Xhekaj, I mostly feel like it could happen if he comes to practice camp hungry as a lion.

He’s got the toughness we’re looking for in the Habs, he’d add grit to the bottom-6 at 6’4″ and he was excellent in his first AHL season, scoring 24 goals.

But then again, it’s all going to come down to camp, and that’s what’s important here. If the guys don’t show up with the knife between their teeth, it’ll be hard for them to impress management enough to start the season in Montreal.

A bit like what happened with Joshua Roy last year.

Overtime

– Hard to ask for more.

he Medicine Hat Tigers have been absolutely ROLLING since the turn of the new year pic.twitter.com/2zDX7sN9l1

– BarDown (@BarDown) May 28, 2025

– Jesse Ylönen leaves North America.

The Habs alum hasn’t played a single NHL game in 24-25 pic.twitter.com/pLxKUegLfd

– DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) May 28, 2025

– Go !

Place Bell pic.twitter.com/I2fyh3Fxwl

– xyz – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) May 28, 2025

– Can’t wait to see this…

General Manager Brad Treliving will hold a press conference tomorrow, Thursday, May 29th at 10am ET

A stream will be available. pic.twitter.com/NvUtwex38T

– Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 28, 2025