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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
 Posted - 05/12/2011 : 21:30:30
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Manny Malhotra apparently has skated lightly the past couple days. Apparently yesterday, he skated alone for 20 mins or so and that was it. But, today he skated on his own for a bit, then joined his team mates and skated some "line rushes" with them. Now, it's speculated that he was simply filling in and is no where near being able to return, but it's certainly nice to see him back on the ice!
The Canucks had Higgins, Samuelsson and H. Sedin sitting out practice so he was possibly just filling the gap? Sedin missing practice leads me to believe he really is playing with an injury. Hopefully these days off heal whatever it is that's bothering him! He really needs to be a factor going forward if the Canucks are gonna move on. SJ will not be an easy opponent!
Back to Manny, i never really knew a whole lot about him until this year. It amazes me the kind words spoken of him from all over the place, be it media, team mates, opponents, former team mates, fans, etc. This guy is really a classy guy and hopefully he can resume his career at some point. Sure would be nice to see him back sooner than later, though Mike Gillis continues to say it's VERY UNLIKELY he'll be back till next season at the earliest. Then again, the injury status of players at this time of year is pretty vague so you never know.
I can only imagine the crowd at Rogers Arena if he were introduced one night as a starter! Would that ever pump up the fans and his team! I can only hope....
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2011 : 08:33:55
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The fact that they're talking about next season at all is positive - there was widespread speculation that his career was over after the incident, so that is great news. I don't think there is any chance he would come back this year.
He has built a great relationship with fans in VAN in his short time here, I too didn't know much about him until this year. The fact that he's part of the Nash family helps, and perhaps the fact that he's Indian endears him to our multiculturally-friendly population. At the end of the day though, he works hard every night, and seems to really like being here, which is always going to win over fans. He's also very good in front of the camera, in the same way that Iginla is - positive, smiles a lot, speaks well.
One thing for sure - we are missing him in the playoffs. More than once, when the game is close and Kesler looks tired, I've wondered how different things might be if we had Malhotra taking a few faceoffs and throwing his body around a bit. If he does come back full health, watch out for VAN next year. |
Edited by - nuxfan on 05/13/2011 08:34:24 |
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FutureKesler
Rookie
Canada
122 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2011 : 22:09:09
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He was never ruled out of returning, NO CANUCKS MANAGEMENT SAID "NO HE IS ABSOLUTLY NOT COMING BACK" So, he may yet come back.
Ryan Kesler is a BEAST! |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2011 : 20:45:01
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so, maybe this isn't dead after all...
Malhotra has been practicing in full gear with the team (and a full face shield). No one is saying anything either way now. I still can't believe that he's recovered enough to come back, but I'm salivating at the thought... |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2011 : 23:24:02
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I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that he dresses if the Canucks advance to the finals. Just a hunch.... |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2011 : 08:17:59
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It would not surprise me Alex - if only to get his name on the cup, which he certainly deserves. What a bonus that would be.
However, in an interview with AV today, he still hasn't been cleared for contact, so he's probably a little while away. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2011 : 10:38:57
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Well, i don't think he'll dress just to get his name on the cup. I mean, he's have to be capable of contributing even if it was just faceoffs or something like that? If he's not been cleared to play though, it's a waiting game. I just have a funny feeling he's closer than they're letting on, but again, it's just a hunch!
What i don't get, and trust me, i'm no doctor nor eye specialist, is what was the exact injury and if his vision is better, can he not take contact? |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2011 : 11:27:30
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| according to TSN, Manny has been medically cleared to return to full contact practice. What an awesome addition if he could get into the finals problem-free. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2011 : 13:38:33
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Last i heard (yesterday on the radio) were scenarios where he'd possibly play a restricted role and center the 4th line? Any way he can get out there would be just awesome!
A caller to the show suggested the Canucks dress a 7th dman in case of an injury, considering the 4th line plays so little? Not a bad idea, but the host's response was good as well. "It's a good idea but not if Manny is centering the 4th line on a limited basis because if the other 4th liner were to get hurt, you're really down to 3 lines"?
Interesting options if he does in fact make a return! The extra days off should help him as well as Kesler and any others hurting. I don't like the fact Boston or TB will be getting such a big rest as finishing your series early used to be a reward. I actually think this sched favours the winner of the East. Vancouver will have been sitting TOO long and the east champ will be coming in well rested, but not rusty! Oh well, it's only a matter of time till we're seeing game 7 of the finals played on Canada Day!!!  |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2011 : 14:10:09
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| forget 3rd or 4th line minutes. I'd be happy if he could come out, take critical faceoffs, and skate right back off again. 30 seconds a game is fine with me |
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Lunchbox
Top Prospect
Canada
88 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2011 : 02:09:22
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Created a poll about Manny's return before I saw this thread was here... As I said there, I don't know how close Manny is to returning but apparently he's closer than they have let on, and he got "no special treatment" in his last practice...whatever that means.
I still think that if he isn't in game 1, that he won't play until the Canucks have three wins, and they want Manny to be eligible to win the cup (I'm pretty sure you only need to play one game in the playoffs for this...anyone know the rule on that?) or the Bruins have three wins and the Canucks are desperate for an injection of emotion.
Either way, his role probably wont change too much from before...faceoffs and PK, some 5 on 5. I don't catch a ton of Canuck games, so I'm not sure how big a role he had otherwise. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2011 : 10:32:04
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Lunchbox, from what i understand, to get your name on the cup, you have to have played either half the regular season games (41) minimum, OR, play in the finals (not just any round). Manny will already qualify as he played 72 games during the season.
This is what i heard on the radio yesterday? |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2011 : 10:48:47
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quote:
Either way, his role probably wont change too much from before...faceoffs and PK, some 5 on 5. I don't catch a ton of Canuck games, so I'm not sure how big a role he had otherwise.
I believe that "no special treatment" means full contact. Which is encouraging.
Manny was the Canucks 3rd line centre, and has played there all year getting 15-18 minutes a night, which is not insignificant. The 3rd line of Malhotra, Hansen, and one of Torres/Samuelsson/Raymond was one of the more effective 3rd lines in the NHL this year, and he had 30 points before he got injured. However, his biggest asset was his faceoff and defensive abilities - on the ice for any important faceoff with the game on the line, and one of he and Kesler were on the ice for any PK. He was second in the NHL in faceoff%. He is a big, physical and durable presence, capable of eating important minutes.
When he went down, it was a huge loss, and I think most Vancouver fans realized that he would be an important part of any serious playoff run - it is only the MVP-like performance of Kesler that has allowed us to live without him. To get him back - even for faceoffs and some PK - would be huge. |
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Manny Malhotra Returning? 
