Canucks top prospect Caleb Malhotra says Vancouver’s 2026 draft decision to pick Adam Novotný—after a Quinn Hughes trade—looks like a clear win as the newcomer impresses in Penticton.
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Caleb Malhotra is not in Penticton for this week’s Canucks training camp, but he is still drawing attention to the organization’s future. Selected by Vancouver with the third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Malhotra is instead at Boston University, where his semester has started. His hockey season with the BU Terriers begins Oct. 2, meaning his immediate focus is on preparing for his college campaign rather than joining teammates at camp.
Even with his own schedule in place, Malhotra used an appearance with Marco D’Amico on Ratings to talk about the Canucks’ draft haul and to single out one of the team’s other high-end prospects. In particular, he praised Adam Novotný, who is currently at training camp in Penticton, after being selected by Vancouver as part of the same 2026 draft process.
Malhotra’s comments trace back to the Canucks’ second selection of that draft. Vancouver used a first-round pick acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild for Quinn Hughes to choose Novotný. According to Malhotra’s account, he was shocked Novotný was still available when the Canucks picked, and he described the moment as excitement turning into a sense that the organization had secured a top player.
That reaction is rooted in more than the draft-night storyline. Malhotra has direct experience seeing Novotný play, with the two meeting multiple times in the Ontario Hockey League last season. Malhotra’s Brantford Bulldogs and Novotný’s Peterborough Petes were opponents in the Western Conference, giving Malhotra a regular look at the Czech winger’s game.
The size of that sample also stood out in Malhotra’s telling. He faced Novotný in five meetings and said Novotný produced five goals and eight points over those matchups. With that kind of output in repeated contests, Malhotra’s confidence in the pick reflects what he saw on the ice when both players were competing at the major junior level.
Novotný has continued to justify that reputation after Vancouver selected him. The Canucks’ 2026 Prospect Showcase included a two-game set against the Seattle Kraken, and Novotný stood out in that event. The performance provided another reference point for how quickly he might adapt to higher levels of competition.
At the current stage of development, Novotný’s presence among NHLers at training camp is also drawing notice. The information available indicates he has not looked out of place during his time in Penticton, suggesting the transition from draft prospect to camp participant is moving along smoothly for the organization’s staff and coaching group.
There is, however, a technical wrinkle that may affect Novotný’s next steps. He is described as being in his 19th year, turning 19 in November. Under the updated NHL–CHL agreement discussed by the league, he would still meet the age-related conditions that can allow an AHL opportunity, even though he was drafted and remains tied to his development pathway.
The change is tied to limits on the number of 19-year-old CHL prospects permitted in the AHL. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has confirmed there is no cap on how many such players teams can use under the new rule, a point that matters for clubs evaluating whether to keep top young talents in the AHL environment rather than relying solely on their junior season.
That clarification opens the door for more than one player. The report notes that Braeden Cootes is likely to play in the AHL this season under the same framework, but it also suggests Novotný could be a candidate if his performance continues to stand out. For Vancouver, the practical significance is clear: the organization is trying to balance development with exposure to a pro schedule, while still respecting the player’s junior rights and contract situation.
The most likely immediate pathway remains rooted in what typically follows a draft. While the AHL possibility exists, the expectation described is that Novotný will return to Peterborough to play his post-draft season in the OHL. Even with that expectation, the new rule means Vancouver has more flexibility if his play accelerates beyond what teams usually anticipate for a prospect at that age, especially if camp and showcase results continue to translate against stronger competition.
For Vancouver and Canadian fans tracking the pipeline, the combined picture matters: Malhotra’s direct junior history with Novotný, Vancouver’s draft context involving the Quinn Hughes trade pick, and Novotný’s continued impact from a prospect showcase into NHL training camp all suggest the Canucks’ future core is being built through more than one route. The age-based AHL eligibility change then adds an additional lever, potentially tightening the connection between draft picks and near-term development plans in a way that could affect how quickly prospects contribute to the organization’s broader goals.
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