How former Rangers center gets shut down by son, top NHL Draft prospect

TL;DR

Manny Malhotra, a former NHL player, faces playful trash talk from his son Caleb, a top NHL Draft prospect. Caleb boasts superior offensive skills compared to his father's career stats.

Key points

Manny Malhotra was a first-round draft pick in 1998.
He played 16 seasons in the NHL.
Caleb Malhotra is a top NHL Draft prospect.
Caleb boasts better offensive skills than his father.
The Malhotra family enjoys playful banter about hockey skills.

Mentioned in this story

Manny MalhotraCaleb Malhotra

New York Rangers

Manny Malhotra was a first-round draft pick by the New York Rangers in 1998, and played 16 distinguished seasons in the NHL. But that doesn’t stop his 17-year-old son Caleb from trash talking dad when it comes to comparing their hockey skill sets.

It’s all familial fun, of course, but there lies some truth in what’s at the heart of Caleb’s digs at his father. Where Manny never scored more than 16 goals in major junior, and totaled 116 in 991 NHL games, Caleb projects to be a more skilled offensive player.

“The defensive responsibility is kind of one [similar] thing,” Caleb told TSN this week. “He was really well-known for his face-offs and defense. So, being positionally sound and positionally smart and then being able to check guys and be physical when needed.

“I think my offense is a bit higher than his and I let him know that too (laugh), just fooling around the house. But, yeah, I think my offense kind of separates me.”

How does dad react such precociousness from his boy?

“He doesn’t really have a comeback (laugh). That’s my finishing blow every time. I like to say that one.”

Malhotra scored 29 goals with Brantford this season, his first in the OHL, and was second on the team with 84 points in 67 games. The 6-foot-2, 182-pound center exploded in the OHL playoffs, currently tied for second in the league with 13 goals and 26 points in 15 postseason games. Brantford let a 3-1 lead slip away and dropped it’s best-of-7 Eastern Conference Final to Barrie.

Lacking a highly-skilled two-way center in their prospect pool, you’d think that the Rangers would love to land Malhotra in the upcoming draft. However, the Rangers dropped two spots to No. 5 overall in the NHL Draft Lottery, and Malhotra could be off the board by time New York’s on the clock.

And it could be one of his dad’s other former teams that could land Malhotra instead of the Rangers. Assuming the select Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick, and the take a defenseman — let’s say Chase Reid — second overall, that gives the a chance to pick Malhotra at No. 3.

Q&A

What are Manny Malhotra's NHL career statistics?

Manny Malhotra scored a total of 116 goals in 991 NHL games during his 16-season career.

Who is Caleb Malhotra and what is his hockey background?

Caleb Malhotra is a 17-year-old hockey player and top NHL Draft prospect, known for his offensive skills and being the son of former NHL player Manny Malhotra.

How does Caleb compare his hockey skills to his father's?

Caleb claims his offensive skills are superior to his father's, who was known for his defensive play and face-offs.

What position did Manny Malhotra play in the NHL?

Manny Malhotra played as a center in the NHL.