Vancouver Canucks centre Manny Malhotra will not be lacing up his skates again this season due to an injury, the franchise announced Thursday.
Malhotra has been placed on injured reserve and it’s unclear whether he's expected to play next season, but general manager Mike Gillis issued a statement assuring that he remains a “valuable member” of the Canucks.
“The long term health of Manny Malhotra is of utmost importance to our organization,” Gillis said. “Throughout his career Manny has showcased his indispensability through skill play, being a consummate professional and leader in the room while also continuously giving back to the community.”
Malhotra injured his left eye in March 2011 when a deflected puck struck him in the face. The 32-year-old fan favourite was benched for months, requiring multiple surgeries before getting back on the ice in time for that year’s Stanley Cup playoffs.
Ongoing concerns led management to give Malhotra just 10 games for truncated 2012-2013 season, and the team eventually decided to force him back off the ice.
There are private concerns in the Canucks organization that Malhotra’s eye injury and vision aren’t sound enough to let him play safely, according to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie.
Malhotra is reportedly not prepared to formally retire, however.
“I would expect Malhotra to function as an unofficial assistant coach for balance of season,” McKenzie tweeted Thursday.
He last played on Feb. 4, when the Canucks eked a win against the Edmonton Oilers with just 19 seconds left in overtime.
