Breaking down early NCAA success of Canucks prospect Caleb Malhotra
The Vancouver Canucks didn’t do a lot of winning in October, and that’s kind of the point for a rebuilding team.
But there are bright spots early on, in the form of young Canucks players like Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Tom Willander, and Elias Pettersson, who are looking like young NHLers on the rise.
The Canucks are also well on their way to locking up another desperately needed top draft pick.
And the guys that they already have in the pipeline are looking like studs, from top prospects like Adam Novotny and Braeden Cootes, to late-round fliers like Anthony Romani and Kirill Kudryavtsev.
But none of these players are as important to the future of the Canucks as Caleb Malhotra.
And, thankfully for Canucks fans, the 2026 third overall pick is looking good so far.
Malhotra delivers
Boston University Terriers head coach Jay Pandalfo predicted that a breakout was coming.
Malhotra entered Boston University’s fifth game of the season on Oct. 24 with just one empty-net goal in five games.
He was flat-out dominant in game No. 5, registering two assists on the night, and he could have had at least two more. The 18-year-old used his speed and vision to set up his Boston teammates all night long.
“Caleb Malhotra was outstanding,” Pandolfo raved after the Oct. 24 win. “He had the puck a lot. He was coming through the neutral zone with the puck a lot. He was making a ton of plays. His stick was excellent all over the ice. I could go on and on.”
“He was moving his feet, good defensively, just all the positives you want in a centreman. I think he’s going to build off this game from a confidence standpoint.”
Build on that, he did.
Malhotra was once again a factor for Boston during their head-to-head matchup with Maine over the weekend. During Friday’s blowout win, Malhotra registered an assist with a great one-touch, cross-ice pass on the power play.
Viktor's first goal as a Terrier came on our first power play of the night as we extended the lead to 4-0!
Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/0bGsEjotjO@hockey_east | @NESN | @espn pic.twitter.com/fDWfN3uXVN
— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) October 30, 2026
And although he didn’t get credited with an assist, it was Malhotra who broke the puck out of his own end before defenceman Xavier Villeneuve, the player drafted one spot after Canucks prospect Brooks Rogowski, scored his first-career NCAA goal.
On Saturday’s rematch against Maine, Malhotra announced himself to those who hadn’t been paying attention to him yet this season.
After Boston clawed back from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime, Malhotra juked around two defenders before wiring the overtime winner past netminder Albin Boija.
CALEB MALHOTRA BAY-BAY!!! pic.twitter.com/BRsLeBJehk
— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 1, 2026
“It was definitely a good feeling,” Malhotra said after the win. “I saw all the guys join the rush, so I wanted to cut back by some time, beat my guy a little bit. [Jack Harvey] drew his guy back door, then I just picked my corner and luckily hit.”
Not sure if there was much that was lucky about Malhotra’s brilliance on that sequence.
The Malhotra Notebook
Malhotra was named one of the players of the game on Saturday. (@TerrierHockey/X)
Early on, you can see why Ryan Johnson and the Canucks were ecstatic to bring Malhotra into the fold. Yes, even with the potential complication of his dad being the current head coach.
Malhotra’s speed is evident in all three zones. And he’s being trusted in key situations, like when Boston is protecting a late lead or when they’re on the penalty kill.
During one sequence on Saturday, Malhotra intercepted a pass shorthanded, springing a two-on-one with teammate Jack Harvey. He saucered a pass across that Harvey couldn’t finish.
Caleb Malhotra has been trusted in PK situations early for Boston University.
Here's a clip of him intercepting an errand pass and springing Boston for a two-on-one shorthanded.#Canucks pic.twitter.com/hwPi4QlJ3z
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) November 2, 2026
Canucks fans will also like the fact that Malhotra came to his goaltender Mikhal Yegorov’s defence after a Maine player poked him after the puck.
How many times have the #Canucks been criticized for being too soft?
Maybe they need more Caleb Malhotra to join D-Petey in shoving guys away from the front of the net. pic.twitter.com/lVWgvirX9R
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) November 2, 2026
His offensive impact is starting to blossom as well, even if that hasn’t been fully reflected on the scoresheet. Malhotra almost scored on a four-on-three power play prior to netting the overtime winner. Earlier in the third, his sweet setup nearly led to another goal for teammate Ben Merrill.
It hasn’t all been perfect, as Pandalfo was critical of the penalty kill, which Malhotra was a part of. It’s also easy to look at Tynan Lawrence’s success (seven goals and 10 points in eight games) and think, how is the guy drafted eight spots after Malhotra managed to be more productive? By comparison, Malhotra has five points (2-3-5) in eight games.
Lawrence did have an 18-game head start with Boston last season, where he registered just two points in his first 13 games. So far, Malhotra’s adjustment period has been shorter.
The Canucks’ No. 1 prospect has already adjusted quickly in the NCAA. If he keeps up his current play, this will likely be Malhotra’s only season in Boston before he turns pro.
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