The Montreal Canadiens took what they felt was a calculated gamble when they acquired Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche, parting with a first and early second-round pick to bring him into the fold. The vision was clear: inject speed and offensive upside into a developing core that lacked NHL-ready talent. However, the road to fulfilling that vision has been anything but straightforward.
A Rocky Start
Newhook’s season began under challenging circumstances. Slotted alongside two struggling linemates—Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach—who were both attempting to regain their form coming back from missing considerable time, the chemistry simply wasn’t there. Most nights, Newhook found himself as the lone engine on his line, trying to drive play while his wingers worked through their respective struggles. The results reflected this imbalance, with Newhook managing just 13 points (9 goals, 4 assists) through his first 51 games, a meager 0.25 points per game. His minus-13 rating further underscored the difficulties of the situation.
A Shift in Fortunes
Since February 2nd, however, Newhook’s game has taken a notable step forward. Whether due to adjustments in deployment, a clearer role, or simply increased confidence, his production has nearly tripled. Over the past 14 games, he has registered 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) at a rate of 0.64 points per game—strong second-line production. His plus-minus has also improved, cutting down from -13 to -3 in that span, an indication that he’s driving play more effectively.
|
Start of season |
Since Feb. 2nd |
|
|
GP |
51 |
14 |
|
G |
9 |
4 |
|
A |
4 |
5 |
|
PTS |
13 |
9 |
|
PTS/GP |
0.25 |
0.64 |
|
+/- |
-13 |
-3 |
The Center Dilemma
Despite these improvements, Newhook’s biggest test is yet to come. With general manager Kent Hughes opting against acquiring a second-line center at the trade deadline—either by choice or by limitation—the Canadiens have been forced to improvise. As a result, Newhook has been handed a serious trial at center, a role that could define his long-term future in Montreal.
It’s a bold experiment. While Newhook possesses the speed, hands, and offensive instincts to thrive in a play-driving role, the demands of playing center at the NHL level go beyond just offensive creation. Defensive awareness, faceoff proficiency, and the ability to control play in all three zones will be critical aspects of his audition.
The Road Ahead
Newhook, now 24 years old, has two more seasons remaining on his $2.9 million cap hit before reaching restricted free agency with arbitration rights. This timeline aligns with Montreal’s broader rebuild strategy, giving both the player and the organization a window to evaluate whether he can solidify himself as a long-term solution up the middle.
If he thrives, the Canadiens may have stumbled upon an internal answer to a key positional need. If he falters, his future may still be as a top-six winger—but one who has yet to fully justify the price Montreal paid to acquire him.
The next few months will be pivotal in determining whether Newhook can seize this opportunity or whether the Canadiens will need to revisit their search for a true second-line center. One thing is certain: he has the tools. Now, it’s about proving he can put them all together.
