If everybody keeps their picks and does the obvious stuff, it would make sense for Vancouver to take Malhotra even if you toss aside the stuff with his Dad. He’s a riser as a prospect in a draft calls where a lot of the top guys are kind of sliders, he has good size and is a natural center. He’s also more of an Eichel, Barkov kind of guy who is good in all three zones. Exactly the kind of player that franchise desperately needs. There’s a chance they galaxy brain their way out of it, Vancouver being Vancouver and all, but it would be a logical pick.
Also, if Vancouver does go with Malhotra at 3 and both Toronto and San Jose go with the big wingers, it’s gonna set up an absolute frenzy of quality defense for the next 3 or 4 picks and that in itself could set off a bunch of trades. Also, several of those D are right siders, which will help juice up interest. I’m hoping for a bit of a wild first round in terms of swapping, shifting and trading. That said, I kind of expect San Jose to grab Reid at 2. Big right handed do-it-all D with 2 seasons of point per game production in the OHL that would slot right into their development curve
Also, if Vancouver does go with Malhotra at 3 and both Toronto and San Jose go with the big wingers, it’s gonna set up an absolute frenzy of quality defense for the next 3 or 4 picks and that in itself could set off a bunch of trades. Also, several of those D are right siders, which will help juice up interest. I’m hoping for a bit of a wild first round in terms of swapping, shifting and trading. That said, I kind of expect San Jose to grab Reid at 2. Big right handed do-it-all D with 2 seasons of point per game production in the OHL that would slot right into their development curve
Last edited:
