Maxime Lajoie

September 2024- Lajoie joins the Kraken organization, likely as an AHL defender with a chance to fill in for injury on the pro squad. He has seen a handful of NHL games over the last several seasons with the Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, and as of the 2023-2024 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He hasn’t had more than 10 games in an NHL stint since 2018-2019 with Ottawa. Chances are he won’t be a fixture for our fantasy squads, but his AHL production has been solid, and he should provide leadership to assist with the development of Seattle’s young blueliners. Alex Wyatt

June 2023 – Lajoie has signed a 1 year, $775k two-way contract with Toronto. The 25-year-old played 63 games for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves last season, scoring 11 goals and 45 points. Lajoie brings 70 games of NHL experience to the organization after spending time with Ottawa and Carolina. Curtis Rines

January 2020 – This year has been a bit trying for the young defender. He hasn’t been able to produce offensively as he expected to coming into the season. His overall game has been fairly average, playing a steady role on the Belleville Senators when he’s been in the lineup. He has spent periods with Ottawa as well but he’s been scoreless in those games. With a number of left-handed defenders ahead of him on the depth chart at the moment, he could be used as a minor trade piece in the offseason. He is looking to have a better second half of the season and hopefully help the Belleville club into the playoffs. At this point, he is AHL depth and not a whole lot more. Tony Ferrari

November 2019 – After spending the majority of last season in the NHL, Lajoie is looked at much more favourably in the Senators’ prospect pool this year than he was prior to last season. Although he has struggled to take a step offensively at the AHL level to start this year, he has shown growth in his overall game. He could get some more playing time with the Senators this season but he won’t be an impact in a fantasy sense until he can round out his game in the offensive zone. Tony Ferrari

March 2019 – Lajoie was considered a very early season surprise for the Ottawa Senators. Not even expected to make the team out of camp, Lajoie found himself in very early Calder conversation. He gradually came back down to earth as the season progressed. At this point, however, the Senators must feel that they have more in him than they did last year. To this point, Lajoie has scored at the same rate in the NHL as he did in last year’s AHL season. With the situation in Ottawa in flux, Lajoie could see value in blocks and shots, averaging nearly 1.5 each per game. If his offence can continue to grow, he may hold value as a second-pairing defenceman on a potentially high-scoring offence in the future. Jordan Deshane

June 2017 – Lajoie has proven to be steady over his three years with the Swift Current Broncos. He’s improved his PPG rate for the second consecutive year, if only marginally, to 0.62 with seven goals and 35 helpers in 68 games and also had a massive swing in his plus-minus by 41, going from minus-21 in 2015-16 to plus-20 this past season. He’s likely never going to be a big point producer but Lajoie plays a solid two-way game that should help his succeed at the next level. Brad Phillips

October 2016 – Ottawa picked their only defenseman with their fifth round pick by selecting Max Lajoie of the Swift Current Broncos. He’s known more for his offensive skills but worked hard to improve on his defense this year. He had a great rookie season in 2014-15 by amassing 41 points in 72 games but improved upon those numbers this past year with 37 points in only 62 games while also taking on much more defensive responsibility, munching minutes often playing against the opponent’s top players. Lajoie’s a smooth, elegant skater that have caused some to compare him to Duncan Keith. While it’s far too early to make any comparisons to a perennial Norris Trophy contender, this has the potential to be a great value pick as some pre-draft projections had him as a second or third round selection. On the back of a standout performance in the rookie tournament, Lajoie has been signed to a three-year entry-level deal. He’s competing in his third WHL campaign with the Broncos, second sporting an ‘A’ on his jersey, and has been held off the scoresheet in three games so far. Brad Phillips