What is Mailloux’s skating like? Could he keep pace playing the forward position?

Not sure how I feel about moving him to forward but skating is one of his biggest strengths, often scoring end to end goals. Worth a Twitter search to watch some clips, he’s pretty good

That's if he's allowed to play in the nhl

Possible but not desirable.
We need RHD. We don't need wingers, and we have a few power forwards for once, so no real need there either.
Defense that can skate with the puck are becoming more important nowadays as well.

There's also the later development compared to players who have been developing their game as forwards for years. It's not a significant factor for someone with a solid hockey IQ who understands those positions as well as their own, but they lack practical application for the experience in actually playing in those roles. Better to stick with his current development path.

He will be