Vancouver Canucks’ centre, Manny Malhotra, out for remainder of season and playoffs –NHL Update
It looks like Manny Malhotra won’t be returning after all. After taking a puck near the eye by Colorado Avalanche’s defenseman, Erik Johnson, during Vancouver Canucks’ matchup against Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, he left the game and went straight to
the hospital along with the team’s medical staff.
It was the match that clinched a playoff spot for them at the Pepsi Centre in Denver, Colorado, where Malhotra after being hit was faced with blood in his eye, which at the time didn’t seem so bad, but fortunately he went on the team doctor’s advice to get
it checked up.
In a later decision, it was affirmed that the 30-year-old Malhotra had a severe injury and would need to undergo surgery on the left eye where it was affected the most.
Vancouver Canucks’ officially announced his absence for the remainder of the season on their website, with the following statement, "Following an initial procedure and continued treatment it has been determined through consultation with team doctors and
specialists that Manny Malhotra will not return to the Canucks line-up for the remainder of this regular season and playoffs."
One of the major issues with such types of injuries during player’s professional careers is the risk of it becoming a career ender.
Peter Forsberg, a legendary NHL player who recently announced his retirement, was in the same condition. He had to deal with ankle and foot related problem after a single incident occurred, and after numerous injuries, he was unable to properly heal, ultimately
resulting in him retiring for good after several attempts of coming back.
Steve Nash, who is a one of the greatest professional basketball players of the National Basketball Association (NBA), is also Malhotra’s brother-in-law, and after visiting him, he said that there could be lasting damage to his vision.
Malhotra has played with a number of different teams throughout his 14-year NHL career.
Starting off as a seventh overall draft by the New York Rangers in 1998, then shifting to the Dallas Stars during the 2001-2002 season, three seasons later he went on to play with the Columbus Blue Jackets with whom he spent four plus seasons.
After a single season with San Jose Sharks in 2009-2010, Manny was traded to the Canucks the successive season.
He has 11 goals, 30 points and a plus 9 rating in his first season in Vancouver. His team stands first overall in the NHL, with 103 points with an amazing record of 47 wins off 73 games.
Canucks and all of fans of the Mississauga, Ontario resident, have high expectations for his return next season since he’s been an irreplaceable asset for the league leading franchise.
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