> In terms of pure physical stature, Malhotra has the most room to gain of anyone inside the top 10. As such, he becomes more of a projection player. What scouts like right now is his attention to detail defensively and his overall awareness of what is required of him on any given night. From a numbers perspective, he is amongst the league leaders in power-play, penalty-kill and plus-minus categories. He also checks the box with six game winners, top three in the OHL. Either Malhotra or Tynan Lawrence (listed next) will be the first centre off the board.
Canucks most likely to pick third, assuming no late-season heater. Might come down to defenseman or center.
Malholtra is definitely a riser. Don’t think we can get him since Wild’s pick will likely be in the 20 range.
His face off skills must be off the charts
Id be down trade back for a couple picks if we get third and the picks are right. I could be convinced Malhotra and Lin/Reid is better than Verhoeff or Lawrence.
Like him but don’t want to grab him if we drop to 3.
Crazy, I mentioned in another sub that I saw lists earlier this year where he was like 22, 30, and even Craig button had him 16 earlier I believe. He has made quite the move this season! Good for him.
I’m not 100% sold on Malhotra.
The team he plays for is stacked which inflates his scoring totals. Despite leading the team in scoring he’s 4th in PPG due to teammates missing time to the World Juniors. Brantford has 12 drafted players on their roster which might lead the entire CHL. Caleb is surrounded by an immense level of talent.
I think he’s a high floor and low ceiling draft pick similar to what his father was. Manny was drafted 7th overall, and became a career 3rd liner. He was a very good 3rd liner, but not the player you’re expecting at 7th overall. Manny scored less in junior than Caleb, but he *was* selected to the Canadian World Junior team in his draft year.
I would be more than happy to draft Malhotra outside of the top 10. I would be extremely disappointed if we traded back, and made him our first pick in the draft. He’s most likely a middle-six piece in the NHL, and not the game breaker we will need to win championships. I think there’s a lot of overlap between Malhotra and Cootes.
More importantly, I don’t think we should be enamored by his last name. People will complain about nepotism in hockey, and then appeal for us to draft a player because of his last name. If Caleb wasn’t Manny’s son I doubt we would see any posts about him in this subreddit.
He’s 17 years old btw…
Stenberg
McKenna
Lawrence
Verhoeff
Villenueve
That is my top 5, I have a hard time getting Caleb into the top 10. Top 15 possibly. Top 20 likely.
You don’t want to over value the name.
If we drop to 3rd and McKenna and Stenberg are gone, I’d call up Chicago and see if we can get their pick (assuming it’s a couple lower) and Florida’s pick from them. Or Boston for theirs and Toronto’s. Try and pick up two of Malholtra, Lawrence and Bjork.
Canucks conversation was talking about it today and have to agree. If we did pick him and Manny became the coach it would be a really weird dynamic. One that’s probably not beneficial to the team as a whole. He does seem promising but for that reason
Would be amazing if we could get another pick in the top 10 this year
Is it just me will pick Tynan Lawrence over Malhotra?
Tynan Wallace is the guy we want. 2 way stud.
Reid and Smits are great skating dmen aswell. Love their offensive capabilities.
It’s a super weak draft. Reminiscent of 2020. Maybe 3 guys in the top 10 will turn into anything significant.
If we draft Viggo Bjork… we could have an all Bjork and petterson line.
Bjork E40 Bjork
MP3 DPETEY
Canucks are drafting third. I’ve already come to terms with it.
Verhoeff worries me. Seems like a lot of value is in the projection, versus what’s been shown
It’s a situation that was avoided by the Tambellini family back in the 2003 draft:
> But Jeff says the obvious pressure of playing for a team managed by his father would have been too awkward for both parties.
> “I think it’s such a tough situation for both him and I that at this point it’s just not something we’re interested in doing,” said Jeff. “I’ve seen a couple of GM’s sons try it and it’s always a tough situation.”
I think the Malhotra family might avoid it too unless the organization feels Manny will leave by the time Caleb is ready.
Dude, we need Stanberg or McKenna like air. If you tank and you end up with Malhotra than you have failed the tank.
I want three things coming out of this year’s draft.
– Prospects who are play drivers and who can create offense
– Size (we’re currently the lightest team in the NHL)
22 comments
Sportsnet’s latest ranking has Malhotra at #4.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sportsnets-2026-nhl-draft-rankings-january-edition/
> In terms of pure physical stature, Malhotra has the most room to gain of anyone inside the top 10. As such, he becomes more of a projection player. What scouts like right now is his attention to detail defensively and his overall awareness of what is required of him on any given night. From a numbers perspective, he is amongst the league leaders in power-play, penalty-kill and plus-minus categories. He also checks the box with six game winners, top three in the OHL. Either Malhotra or Tynan Lawrence (listed next) will be the first centre off the board.
Canucks most likely to pick third, assuming no late-season heater. Might come down to defenseman or center.
Malholtra is definitely a riser. Don’t think we can get him since Wild’s pick will likely be in the 20 range.
His face off skills must be off the charts
Id be down trade back for a couple picks if we get third and the picks are right. I could be convinced Malhotra and Lin/Reid is better than Verhoeff or Lawrence.
Like him but don’t want to grab him if we drop to 3.
Crazy, I mentioned in another sub that I saw lists earlier this year where he was like 22, 30, and even Craig button had him 16 earlier I believe. He has made quite the move this season! Good for him.
I’m not 100% sold on Malhotra.
The team he plays for is stacked which inflates his scoring totals. Despite leading the team in scoring he’s 4th in PPG due to teammates missing time to the World Juniors. Brantford has 12 drafted players on their roster which might lead the entire CHL. Caleb is surrounded by an immense level of talent.
I think he’s a high floor and low ceiling draft pick similar to what his father was. Manny was drafted 7th overall, and became a career 3rd liner. He was a very good 3rd liner, but not the player you’re expecting at 7th overall. Manny scored less in junior than Caleb, but he *was* selected to the Canadian World Junior team in his draft year.
I would be more than happy to draft Malhotra outside of the top 10. I would be extremely disappointed if we traded back, and made him our first pick in the draft. He’s most likely a middle-six piece in the NHL, and not the game breaker we will need to win championships. I think there’s a lot of overlap between Malhotra and Cootes.
More importantly, I don’t think we should be enamored by his last name. People will complain about nepotism in hockey, and then appeal for us to draft a player because of his last name. If Caleb wasn’t Manny’s son I doubt we would see any posts about him in this subreddit.
He’s 17 years old btw…
Stenberg
McKenna
Lawrence
Verhoeff
Villenueve
That is my top 5, I have a hard time getting Caleb into the top 10. Top 15 possibly. Top 20 likely.
You don’t want to over value the name.
If we drop to 3rd and McKenna and Stenberg are gone, I’d call up Chicago and see if we can get their pick (assuming it’s a couple lower) and Florida’s pick from them. Or Boston for theirs and Toronto’s. Try and pick up two of Malholtra, Lawrence and Bjork.
Canucks conversation was talking about it today and have to agree. If we did pick him and Manny became the coach it would be a really weird dynamic. One that’s probably not beneficial to the team as a whole. He does seem promising but for that reason
Would be amazing if we could get another pick in the top 10 this year
Is it just me will pick Tynan Lawrence over Malhotra?
Tynan Wallace is the guy we want. 2 way stud.
Reid and Smits are great skating dmen aswell. Love their offensive capabilities.
It’s a super weak draft. Reminiscent of 2020. Maybe 3 guys in the top 10 will turn into anything significant.
https://preview.redd.it/w4et7f7d4udg1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f8c1591179d34af085190b1482940fdd476ac7bd
A little different than TSN//Craig’s List.
If we draft Viggo Bjork… we could have an all Bjork and petterson line.
Bjork E40 Bjork
MP3 DPETEY
Canucks are drafting third. I’ve already come to terms with it.
Verhoeff worries me. Seems like a lot of value is in the projection, versus what’s been shown
It’s a situation that was avoided by the Tambellini family back in the 2003 draft:
> But Jeff says the obvious pressure of playing for a team managed by his father would have been too awkward for both parties.
> “I think it’s such a tough situation for both him and I that at this point it’s just not something we’re interested in doing,” said Jeff. “I’ve seen a couple of GM’s sons try it and it’s always a tough situation.”
I think the Malhotra family might avoid it too unless the organization feels Manny will leave by the time Caleb is ready.
Dude, we need Stanberg or McKenna like air. If you tank and you end up with Malhotra than you have failed the tank.
I want three things coming out of this year’s draft.
– Prospects who are play drivers and who can create offense
– Size (we’re currently the lightest team in the NHL)
– More right-shot forwards (centers and wingers)