2026 NHL Draft

[dangler]

Less gruelling than the dub too. They play like 1-2 games a week max. They practice and develop better with more recovery time I think. The CHL whores out these kids for 80+ games plus a 2-3 month playoff format like the NHL. That's just too much travel and wears guys down

Yup.
Less is more.
84 game reg season is nuts

Yeah the Dub is a shitty deal for the kids. The level of exploitation is ridiculous.

Need to get 'em conditioned for the bigs

[Picker of Cherries]

Had to ask ChatGPT to compare Caleb with Manny in case he is available at the pick the Canucks got from Minny. He looks pretty good to me:

Here’s a detailed, draft-year junior comparison of Manny Malhotra and his son Caleb Malhotra, focusing on body type, scoring, skating, playing style, and scouting traits — with deeper context from available stats and reports.
Junior Scoring & Role in Draft Year
Manny Malhotra (1997–98, Guelph Storm, OHL)
Stats & Scoring
Manny posted 16 goals and 51 points in 57 OHL games in his final full junior season before the 1998 NHL Draft. He also produced 7 points in 12 playoff games, captaining Guelph to an OHL championship and Memorial Cup finals.
Wikipedia
+1
At the 1998 Memorial Cup, he was third in scoring with 7 points in 5 games, showing he could drive offense in big events.
Wikipedia
Role & Perception
Despite his scoring, scouts saw Manny as more of a complete two-way center with defensive instincts, leadership, and faceoff ability — rather than an offensive pure scorer. Many reports emphasized his defensive IQ and utility as a shutdown pivot even in junior.
Elite Prospects
Contemporary scouting noted that his offensive totals were solid but not elite compared to top pure scorers; his value was his all-around game.
Caleb Malhotra (2025–26, Brantford Bulldogs, OHL)
Stats & Scoring
Caleb, in his draft-year OHL season, is among the top scoring rookies, with around 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) in 27 games — leading OHL rookie scoring through December 2025.
OHL Writers
He’s earned multiple “OHL Rookie of the Week” honors with multi-point games, including four-point and five-point outings, indicating offensive playmaking flair.
Canadian Hockey League
Role & Perception
Caleb is described by scouts as a complete two-way center who can drive play offensively and mature quickly into key roles. One pro scout said he looks like a first-round talent all day with skill at both ends.
Hockey News Windsor
An “A-rated” Central Scouting grade underscores a belief in his high impact projection among 2026 draft-eligible CHL players.
OHL Writers
Comparison
Attribute Manny (Draft Year) Caleb (Draft Year)
League OHL OHL
Height/Weight ~6'1", lighter for modern pro expectation 6′2″, 182 lb — still filling out
Points 51 in 57 (regular) + strong Memorial Cup ~37 in 27 + top rookie scoring
Offensive Nature Well-rounded, secondary role Primary offensive driver
Role Two-way with defensive emphasis Two-way with more offensive upside
Body Type & Physical Projection
Manny (Junior Draft Year)
Listed around 6′1″ and ~200 lbs by draft but most of his size came from strength over time. As a late-teener he was strong, with a sturdy frame that allowed him to compete physically at both ends.
HockeyDB
Caleb
At **6′2″ and about 182 lb, Caleb is taller but lighter at present — typical for high-end juniors who get stronger over late teen years.
OHL Writers
Comparison
Manny likely looked more physical and filled in as a younger player, relying on strength and board play.
Caleb’s frame projects more modern size and maneuverability — with room to add muscle without sacrificing mobility as he ages.
Skating & Speed
Manny (Junior)
Contemporary scouting didn’t often label Manny as a “speedster” by pure sprint metrics. His skating was serviceable, efficient and smart, enabling defensive coverage and transition — not elite breakaway speed.
He used positioning, angling, and defensive awareness more than blow-by speed. Contemporary reports focused more on his faceoff and defensive instincts than foot speed per se.
Elite Prospects
Caleb
While specific skate testing metrics aren’t publicly published yet, Caleb’s early success and consistent production suggest good top-end skating and effort quality — strong for a 17-year-old playing against older junior competition.
Scouting notes describing him as able to “do it all” imply above-average mobility — likely quicker and more dynamic in transitions than Manny was at the same age, fitting modern NHL pacing.
Hockey News Windsor
Comparison
Manny’s skating was sound and smart — good for defensive positioning and making plays under pressure at junior and pro levels.
Caleb’s skating appears well above average for his cohort, helping him generate offense and keep pace at higher levels of play. Scouts note his ability to impact games quickly — a good sign of versatile skating.
Draft Scouting Summary (Junior Lens)
Manny’s Draft Year Profile
Strengths in Junior
Strong hockey IQ, leadership as Guelph captain.
Responsible two-way play; solid numbers with situational awareness.
Performed in big games (Memorial Cup, playoffs).
Limitations in Junior Eyes
Offensive numbers good but not elite compared to other pure scorers.
Skating was efficient but not standout explosiveness.
Projection at Draft
Seen as a high-floor two-way center with strong defensive instincts who could grow into varied NHL roles. His draft slot (7th overall) reflected potential teams saw beyond pure scoring to overall impact.
Caleb’s Draft Year Profile
Strengths
Strong point production among top juniors; consistent impact on offense (goals + assists).
Good IQ, decision-making, and leadership traits noted by scouts.
Two-way maturity at a young age; accomplished in BCHL before jumping to OHL.
Canadian Hockey League
Projection
He’s viewed as a modern two-way pivot who can drive play at both ends — a composite of offensive flair and responsible defensive contributions.
Key Differences from Manny’s Junior Draft
Caleb’s offensive output is more prominent than Manny’s at the same stage, while Manny’s scouting was anchored more in defense first.
Caleb’s skating and transition impact are broader parts of his profile; Manny’s was strength-and-IQ based.
Draft-Year Skill Comparison at a Glance
Skill Area Manny (1998 Jr) Caleb (2026 Jr)
Scoring Strong, useful secondary Strong primary at top junior level
Skating Efficient, good positional Good mobility, dynamic
Defensive Play Excellent instincts Two-way approach
Size Projection Stocky & strong Lean and projectable
Draft Projection Two-way center Potential top-six two-way driver
Overall Conclusions
Manny at Draft Age
Very solid scorer in junior but known more for defense, faceoffs, and leadership than pure offense. He was seen as an all-around center with the mature game needed for NHL coaches. His strength and decision-making were his core junior tools.
Wikipedia
Caleb at Draft Age
More pronounced offensive impact early, while still showing strong defensive responsibility and hockey IQ. His skating and production suggest a higher offensive ceiling while maintaining all-around value.
OHL Writers
Comparative Summary
Scoring: Caleb has had more offensive output relative to peers than Manny did at the same stage.
Skating: Caleb looks more dynamic, fitting modern pace; Manny’s was reliable and responsible.
Style: Manny was a defensive center who scored well; Caleb is a balanced, two-way center with more offensive projection.

[Chef Boi RD]

Oh no, here comes that weird obsession with relatives of former Canuck players.

Caleb will be lucky to go top 10. If we are finishing top 5 you do not draft him, maybe if we end up picking around 10th overall. He’s basically a Nate Danielson clone (Red Wings) if that’s what you want. His ceiling isn’t first line player. 2nd line tops. We already have Cootes for that.

[Picker of Cherries]

I was talking the Minnesota pick if he falls to them, not their first pick.
He is projected at mid-teens right now, so it might match up, but he will probably be gone.
Of course the Canucks will likely go on a winning streak now, just miss the playoffs and pick 15th so that would line up, too.

[JelloPuddingPop]

Oh no, here comes that weird obsession with relatives of former Canuck players.

Caleb will be lucky to go top 10. If we are finishing top 5 you do not draft him, maybe if we end up picking around 10th overall. He’s basically a Nate Danielson clone (Red Wings) if that’s what you want. His ceiling isn’t first line player. 2nd line tops. We already have Cootes for that.

Minny is currently 4th in the league - and just added Hughes. That pick will be in the 30's or high 20's if the loss of Rossi/Zeev B. hurt their depth too much.

Unless Van is trading Garland, I don't see any other players fetching a 1RP for Van in trade, if the tank keeps on giving us hope, they will likely be drafting top 5, and bottom 5 in the first round of the 2026 draft.

No one is using a top 5 for Manny's kid. And he will be gone by the time Van makes their 2nd pick. He projects to be a mid-round pick, 15th or so.

[Picker of Cherries]

You saying the pins I’ve been sticking in my Quinn Hughes voodoo doll aren’t going to work?

[Chef Boi RD]

Oh no, here comes that weird obsession with relatives of former Canuck players.

Caleb will be lucky to go top 10. If we are finishing top 5 you do not draft him, maybe if we end up picking around 10th overall. He’s basically a Nate Danielson clone (Red Wings) if that’s what you want. His ceiling isn’t first line player. 2nd line tops. We already have Cootes for that.

Minny is currently 4th in the league - and just added Hughes. That pick will be in the 30's or high 20's if the loss of Rossi/Zeev B. hurt their depth too much.

Unless Van is trading Garland, I don't see any other players fetching a 1RP for Van in trade, if the tank keeps on giving us hope, they will likely be drafting top 5, and bottom 5 in the first round of the 2026 draft.

No one is using a top 5 for Manny's kid. And he will be gone by the time Van makes their 2nd pick. He projects to be a mid-round pick, 15th or so.

He’s a decent pick between 8th and 15th, if you want a Nate Danielson type, safe pick, 2nd and 3rd line ceiling. Two way player but he’s nowhere near the star potential of the top 4 where we want to be picking.

[Meds]

If there is any sort of plan to try and promote Manny from the farm to behind the bench with the big club, then adding his son should be a non-starter. Hell, unless he’s moving on from Abbotsford to another coaching gig, it’s a tough sell to let him be coaching his own kid. Just too much can potentially go wrong in that dynamic.

[Chef Boi RD]

I’m only picking Malhotra around between 10th and 15th, I don’t see us picking there. He’s just not what we need. We need gunslingers. He’s a two way centre and will be a similar player to his Dad. Plus we already have Cootes and Raty whom he projects somewhere between those two. We need to figure out how to get some dynamic forwards in the pipeline, one of McKenna, Stenberg or Lawrence will solve that

[Cousin Strawberry]

Hate to say it but Raty is part of the tank crew and once we start taking flight will be left behind or traded. He's just too heavy footed for much more than a depth role. You can't have Clydesdales running with thoroughbreds

[donlever]

Boeser.

[Cousin Strawberry]

Boeser.

Yep.

[Carl Yagro]

Hate to say it but Raty is part of the tank crew and once we start taking flight will be left behind or traded. He's just too heavy footed for much more than a depth role. You can't have Clydesdales running with thoroughbreds

Posting sober again, huh? Ran out of stash?

We got us a lot of placeholders and tweeners to be replaced.

Ratu can shoot like Dank, but skates like Hank and isn't good enough to take a 2C spot consistently. He wins draws like Manny but isn't suited for 3rd line duty. Hogs is another tweener miscast. $3M for what should be a bottom-6, high-energy guy.

Good guy Brock was paid for loyalty, but at this point, who are you going to give your money to? Nobody wants a part of this. He took it because he'll never get a sweeter deal anywhere else.

[dbr]

Minny is currently 4th in the league - and just added Hughes. That pick will be in the 30's or high 20's if the loss of Rossi/Zeev B. hurt their depth too much.

FYI the Minny pick could be as high as 17. If they don’t win their division and don’t reach the Conference finals it’s likely between there and mid-20s, so as much as I hate having to root for any other former NW division team… Go Avs.

[rats19]

Good to see you dbr…