Malhotra did struggle to start the year. I think he only had 3 or 4 weeks to train for the season due to eye surgeries.coco_canuck wrote:Larry, I agree that Manny has done well in his role, and that he's a valuable bottom 6 centre for this team.Larry Goodenough wrote: Again, "Malhotra is struggling" appears to a myth when the context in which he's being deployed is considered.
I don't know how "they stuck with Manny" when they've been giving him the responsibility of very tough defensive minutes against top 6 forwards all season long. If they were actually sticking with him, would they not have been protecting him more?
But come on, Manny went from being one of the best 3rd line centres, received Selke consideration last year, and now he's playing 4th line minutes and is being used strategically for defensive situations.
Is it a stretch to say Malhotra's game has regressed significantly since last season?
To start the year he really did struggle, even in those defensive situations he's now far more successful in.
I can't say if his game has regressed significantly as he was an orange last year and is an apple this year.
Before the trade deadline Malhotra was 8th on the team in TOI for forwards and 7th in total shifts per game, which are actually 3rd line numbers. I imagine that has changed since Pahlsson came in.