Caleb Malhotra didn’t hesitate when Adam Novotný came up in a recent interview with Marco D’Amico. The Vancouver Canucks’ third overall pick made it clear he thinks the organization landed a major bargain at 24th overall.
When asked about Novotný, Malhotra said, “I couldn’t believe he was still up there…It was awesome. We got this absolute player.” He then went on to call Novotný a steal.
That reaction carries some weight, especially given where Novotný was expected to go. The Canucks were able to take him with the pick they acquired from Minnesota in the Quinn Hughes trade, and he had been projected to come off the board much earlier.
Early glimpses have only added to the intrigue. Through development camp, the prospects showcase and one day of training camp, Novotný has already shown plenty of promise.
Malhotra and Novotný also seem to have built real mutual respect. The two faced each other all last season in the OHL, got to know one another there, and finally skated together in Canucks uniforms at development camp earlier in July. For a team looking to build around its top young talent, that connection matters.
Malhotra’s own path has moved fast. Just two seasons ago, he was a 16-year-old with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL. Now he’s coming off a strong season, was taken third overall in the draft, and is headed to Boston University.
His focus there is straightforward. As he put it, “I want to be able to prove myself as a player in college and have an impact on this team.”
He also has his sights set on a spot with Canada at the World Juniors. “The World Juniors is one of my goals, obviously,” he said.
“I want to play in that tournament. I want to be able to bring Canada gold.”
After getting an opportunity at the World Junior Summer Showcase, that goal appears to be in play. Malhotra isn’t at Canucks main camp because of rules around NCAA players attending NHL training camps, but there’s at least a chance fans could see him in Edmonton in December.
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