The best rookies of the upcoming class usually take part in the NHLPA Rookie Showcase. It's an honor for players to get the invite, as past years would have some massive names at the event. The invitation is sometimes a sign that people believe the player will make an impact at the NHL level in the upcoming season. This year, the NHLPA invited Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux.
The 2023 event featured Sean Farrell, Owen Beck, and Filip Mesar from the Canadiens, who didn't see their seasons pan out the way they expected. However, all three have outside chances of cracking a depth spot in the 2024-25 season and will feature at the top of the Laval Rocket lineup.
As for Mailloux and Hutson, there's a strong possibility they could be the top pairing in Laval to start the season. The loss of Jordan Harris creates an opportunity for Hutson to make the team out of training camp, but the Canadiens could take a cautious approach and start him in the AHL. Hutson already appeared in Montreal, playing two games at season's end and recording two assists.
Logan Mailloux certainly earned a long look to be featured in the Canadiens lineup next season. He had 47 points in 72 games with Laval and was the team's representative at the AHL All-Star Game. He took part in a game at the end of the season and recorded an assist.
Interestingly, David Reinbacher wasn't invited to take part in the event. It could signal that the league expects him to play the full season in the AHL and will feature him at the 2025 edition of the camp. However, that'd be his third year after getting drafted, making him the elder statesman at the camp.
