Canucks ask Caleb Malhotra about playing for his dad in Vancouver
The Vancouver Canucks are faced with an unorthodox situation.
They’re clearly fans of Manny Malhotra, who they just hired as head coach this week. The team is also interested in drafting Caleb Malhotra at third overall, having scouted him several times in person throughout the season.
It makes for the biggest question facing the Canucks this month: can the Malhotras co-exist long-term on the same team?
This situation seemingly could only happen to the Canucks, a lightning rod for being interesting, even if they’re rarely good.
Only eight head coaches in NHL history have led a team while also coaching their son. Most of those were pre-21st century, with the latest example coming when Dave Lowry coached his son, Adam Lowry, for a season with the Winnipeg Jets. It was a situation that had its challenges, according to Dave.
Could things be different for Caleb and Manny?
Well, one good way to gauge the situation is to ask them, something the Canucks have done recently.
“I was talking with Ryan Johnson, and he said any decision they make, whether they choose me or choose another player, will have nothing to do with my dad being the coach,” Caleb told NHL.com. “I’m fine with the fact they can have the ability to be professional and make a separate decision.”
Caleb, who just celebrated his 18th birthday, also commented on the possibility of playing for his dad.
“[The Canucks] did ask how it would be playing for my dad,” he said. “I mean, it’d be pretty cool to play for him. I haven’t played for him since I was like 12 years old in minor hockey in British Columbia on a spring hockey team.
“That was the last time I remember him coaching me. It’d be interesting to play for him, for sure.”
Johnson also commented on the potentially unique dynamic when he spoke to the media on Tuesday.
“I had to be honest and clear with Manny that I want him as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks,” Johnson said. “The Vancouver Canucks also sit in a position that there is a possibility that the Canucks select Caleb.”
“I wanted to make sure that we werenât sitting there where Manny said, âRJ, I really wish I knew that was a possibility or I wish that there was a little more clarity when we had that discussion.â I wanted to make sure that he had time to talk with his wife and with his family, understanding that this was a possible scenario and that there was no hesitation on him moving forward and taking this position. I felt I owed that to him.”
“Weâll make our decisions based on who the best player available is when we pick, and there wonât be an outside influence changing who that might be.”
Many mock drafts are predicting that the Canucks will select the 6-foot-2 centre with the third overall pick. However, a recent report suggests the Canucks scouting staff is split between Malhotra and two other prospects.
Malhotra rocketed up draft boards with a stellar first season in the OHL, one in which he finished fifth in playoff scoring (13 goals, 26 points, 15 games) despite his team being eliminated in the Conference Finals.
The NHL draft takes place on Friday, June 26.