MAJOR | Controversial Canadiens first rounder gets big news from the NHL

While playing in Sweden, Mailloux engaged in a consensual sexual encounter, but later shared an offensive photo from the encounter his teammates, which led to charges. Mailloux was suspended indefinitely by the Ontario Hockey League, before they reinstated him in late December 2021.

Just before the start of the 2022-23 season, Mailloux inked his three-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens and was sent back to the OHL's London Knights for another season.

For quite a while now, Mailloux was not deemed eligible to play in the NHL by Commissioner Gary Bettman, but now he is, according to TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie.

Mailloux, 20, had a strong season with OHL London, which was his first full campaign in the league. He put up 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) in 59 games and followed that up with a whopping 24 points in 21 playoff games, helping the Knights reach the OHL Finals, where they lost to the Peterborough Petes.

The Belle River, Ontario native has plenty of options for the 2023-24 season as he's eligible to return to the OHL as an overager and now can play in either the NHL or AHL. The most likely and ideal option for his development would be playing in the AHL for the Laval Rocket.