VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Forward Manny Malhotra’s season is finished after the Canucks put the 32-year-old on the injured reserve list.
The decision was made in the best interest of long-term safety for Maholtra who has struggled since a horrific injury in March of 2011. He was struck in the eye by a puck in a game against Colorado. Malhotra has undergone a number of surgeries to restore his vision.
Vancouver GM Mike Gilles didn’t make this move lightly. “Watching what he did to try and recover from that and the difficulty of it, was a very difficult decision for me to make. There are times when hockey is a secondary idea behind long term life.”
Gillis thought about this decision for some time, adding Malhotra convinced him to allow for a full summer of training to alleviate the fear of vulnerability on the ice. Gillis knows there is a risk every time Malhotra is on the ice. Malhotra has gone pointless in 9 games this season with just two shots and his future with the team has not been determined.
In other news, centre Ryan Kesler took part in full-contact at practice – skating on the second line with Zack Kassian and Chris Higgins. The plan is to have Kesler return tomorrow night when the Dallas Stars visit Rogers Arena. He also could be part of the top powerplay unit. Kesler has been working his way back from shoulder and wrist surgeries.
The Canucks will go with Cory Schneider in net for the Stars game.
Home Improvement Profiles
News1130 Apps
Tell us what you think!
News1130 Business Profile
Television footage showed Malhotra practicing with the team on Sunday. What’s up with that?
He was never the same after that nasty injury, this will be a big hole to fill on and off the ice.
Hopefully there’s a role for him off the ice with the Canucks still, he’s a great leader.
I wish him the best of health, thanks for all your hard work and leadership.
Despite the fact many bandwagoner fans think this won’t affect the Canucks – guess again. Manny was 2nd overall in faceoffs in the entire league. He may not score goals or put up points but he does alot of the little things that most fans don’t see.
I feel so bad to see Manny leaving us again…he a player with heart and we will miss him. I wish him a full and successful recover.
So sad to know he won’t be playing the game, as stated above a real class act.
How about a talent scout? He is one very classy act, one of the greatest face-off players ever!
too bad for Manny! He’s a class guy but I would love to see him in some sort of capacity in the Canuck organization.