Scott Merryfield
Senior HTF Member
Yes, but it will be a few years before we get to see it in the NHL. Goalies take longer to develop than skaters, so Malcolm will most likely be playing in the OHL for the next two seasons, then a season or two in the AHL before he would be brought up to the NHL -- if he continues to develop well. I only saw him play once last season, as Belleville plays in the other conference and only come to Plymouth once a season. The Whalers lit him up pretty bad in the first period. However, it is tough to get an impression on a goalie from only one appearance like that.phil* said:Malcolm vs PK Subban.
That should be interesting.
Usually only a very few players go right from the Canadian juniors to the NHL in their draft year, and it almost never happens with goaltenders. From this year's draft, only Yakupov (#1 overall to Edmonton) and Ryan Murray (#2 overall to Columbus) are considered "NHL ready". One or two other players may surprise and impress enough in NHL camps to stick with the club, but almost all will be returned to their junior teams.
Even Galchenyuk (#3 overall to Montreal) will most likely be sent back, even though he may have been the #1 prospect at the start of last season. An ACL injury cost him most of last season, so the Habs will most likely want him to get in another year at the junior level.