Canucks, Caleb Malhotra linked in another way before 2026 NHL Draft

As the 2026 NHL Draft gets closer, everyone will point out how much sense Caleb Malhotra makes for the Vancouver Canucks.

Malhotra is a local kid. His dad, Manny, is the head coach at AHL Abbotsford, the affiliate of Vancouver.

Beyond that, Malhotra can play.

“Malhotra, however, has been on a rocket ship trajectory late in his draft year, morphing into a top offensive producer for Brantford down the stretch and into the OHL playoffs," The Athletic's Thomas Drance wrote recently. "He’s 6-2, he has plus wheels, he’s a conscientious, physically assertive two-way centre, and his production down the stretch has begun to draw comparisons to Jonathan Toews from his biggest admirers in the scouting community.”

And added on top of that: The Canucks are simply very high on Malhotra.

Hockey analyst Cam Robinson said recently that he thinks Vancouver would take Malhotra even if they had the No. 1 pick -- but they're at No. 3, so they'll be hoping he gets to them:

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If the Canucks get the chance to take Malhotra, it doesn't seem like they'll let him get past.

Whether he comes to the NHL right away is less certain. He's committed to NCAA powerhouse Boston University and could go play some college hockey first.

Eventually, though, the Canucks would get exactly the player they want.

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