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Cam Robinson on Canucks’ options at third overall, the Memorial Cup, and more: Canucks Conversation
Photo credit: The Nation Network | Steven Ellis
May 30, 2026, 13:00 EDTUpdated: May 30, 2026, 13:03 EDT
On Friday’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Tyson Cole were joined by Cam Robinson to discuss the Vancouver Canucks’ options at third overall in the upcoming NHL Draft, including why Caleb Malhotra remains a compelling candidate.
Robinson admitted he wasn’t always sold on Malhotra throughout the season, but the centre’s development over the second half of the year changed his outlook significantly.
“He’s a 6-foot-2 Canadian centre, plays a good two-way game with strong offense and leadership skills,” Robinson said. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders and NHL bloodline. There’s a lot of boxes he checks.”
Earlier in the year, Robinson had concerns about Malhotra’s tendency to slow the game down too often.
“I thought he changed gears too much early on and would dictate pace and slow things down,” Robinson said. “I don’t love that from players who don’t also show me they can burn guys wide and explode through pockets. “In the back half of the year, he added that element. He’d wind it up, come in with a bit of pace and then beat you wide with some acceleration.”
While Malhotra may not possess the same offensive ceiling as some other top prospects, Robinson believes his overall impact could more than make up for it.
“You’re leaving a little bit on the table in terms of pure offensive upside if you go with him,” Robinson said. “But he more than makes up for that with his two-way acumen and leadership skills. He’s going to be a guy that plays so many roles for a team on and off the ice. He’s going to impact the team arguably more than a guy who puts up more points than he does on the wing.”
Although Robinson stopped short of calling Malhotra his preferred choice at third overall, he made it clear he would have no issue with the selection.
“I’m not sure if he’s my pick for Vancouver at three, but it would be a valid pick at that spot,” he said.
When the conversation shifted to Vancouver’s potential options later in the first round, Robinson highlighted Swedish defenceman Malte Gustafsson as a player he’s particularly high on.
“Malte Gustafsson is a thoroughbred,” Robinson said. “Six-foot-four defenceman who can skate very well. He has the best pure defensive habits, very mature, played half a season in the SHL.”
“I don’t think he’s going to put up a ton of points,” Robinson continued. “But he’ll be like a Jacob Slavin-type of guy where his value is on the defensive side of the puck.”
The guys also asked Robinson whether the Canucks would automatically select Ivar Stenberg if the highly touted Swedish winger unexpectedly fell to third overall.
“I don’t think that’s set in stone,” Robinson admitted. “I think it could absolutely be Malhotra.”
“There’s factions in the organization that really like Ivar Stenberg if he’s there and factions who really like Malhotra as well. If it’s up to me though, Stenberg is the choice at number three.”
That said, Robinson acknowledged the challenge facing the Canucks if both players are available. While he generally believes teams should draft the best player available, Vancouver’s organizational need down the middle complicates the discussion.
“You shouldn’t draft for need at third overall,” Robinson said. “Chase Reid would be in the running, but at the same time, you have some young assets on the blue line, you don’t have that next guy down the middle.”
As draft day approaches, the debate between Stenberg and Malhotra continues to shape discussions around the Canucks’ third-overall pick. While opinions may differ on who should be selected, Robinson believes both prospects have legitimate cases to hear their names called early on draft night.
Robinson also shared that he actually has Viggo Björck ranked higher than Malhotra on his personal draft rankings. There are concerns about Björck’s size, but Robinson made a compelling case for Björck as the top centre of the draft.
You can watch the full replay of the show below!
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