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FN Draft Profiles: Caleb Malholtra has all the tools to be a top-line centre at this years NHL draft
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Photo credit: Brandon Taylor/ OHL Images
Adrian Kiss
Apr 15, 2026, 15:45 EDTUpdated: Apr 15, 2026, 00:20 EDT
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The pool at centre is not too deep at the upcoming NHL draft. With that being a position the Calgary Flames would love to improve, they’ll be considering all options leading up to their picks.
There might not be a player in the draft who has both the tools to be successful and the bloodlines of past success more than Caleb Malhotra.
The son of former NHLer Manny Malhotra and the nephew of NBA legend Steve Nash, Caleb has stood out all season long as a young player with great potential. Could he be a player the Flames target?

Scouting report

Standing at six-foot-two and 182 pounds, Malhotra has the size and frame that would be intriguing to every NHL team.
The Toronto native has been tearing up the OHL as a rookie. He’s been consistently exceeding expectations, so much so that he’s raised his draft stock significantly this season.
Jordan Harris from Dobber Prospects raved about Malhotra and had this to say:
“Malhotra is such a likeable player because he plays a smart, responsible and detailed game. He is the linchpin that holds his line together letting his linemates go wild. Malhotra does not have many weaknesses. He’s a strong skater who competes hard and can both score and make plays.”
Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala also had great things to say about Malhotra:
“Malhotra has the skill to create off the rush and make plays on the power play. He also can match-up against top lines in a shutdown role if required. His combination of speed, hockey IQ, consistent compete, and skill project Malhotra as a potential top-line NHL forward in time.”
It’s not often you hear of a draft-eligible prospect whose game is essentially flawless. By no means does that mean he’s a finished product, but it does make it feel like he can only get better in every category with time and experience.

The numbers

In the 2024-25 season, Malhotra spent the duration of the year with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL. He recorded eight goals and 26 points across 44 regular-season games, and complemented that with 17 points in 21 playoff games.
Malhotra made the jump to the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs this year and has shown excellent consistency across all areas of his game, including scoring. As a rookie in the league, he has recorded 29 goals and 55 assists for 84 points across 67 games. This was good for 12th overall in league scoring and second among rookies.
Malhotra has continued his impressive play into the playoffs as well. As of the series opener of the second round, he already has seven goals and five assists in just five playoff games.
Between the BCHL playoffs and the current OHL playoffs, Malhotra has shown he can perform in the biggest moments.

Availability and fit

Malhotra’s availability could waver. Various draft rankings have him going as early as third overall, but there are some that have him going as late as 27th. There probably isn’t a chance Malhotra survives past the top 10. There is such a limited selection of quality centres in this draft that teams might not be able to pass up the chance to draft him early.
For the Flames, you are clearly looking at Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg first and second. Malhotra should probably sit either third or fourth on their list. If the Flames pick in the four-to-six overall range, Malhotra may be the perfect player for them to select and could even turn out to be a steal at that point.
The Flames need a top centre who can control games. Malhotra has the makings of a player who could do that in a multitude of ways. Is he going to be a player who comes in and immediately makes this team a playoff team? Probably not. But he’s continually exceeded expectations, so there’s no reason to think he couldn’t develop into a top forward and difference-maker the Flames could benefit from greatly.
Where does Caleb Malhotra fall on your list of prospects the Flames should draft? Let us know in the comments below!
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