Major update on trade between the Canadiens and Avalanche
Photo credit: Colorado Hockey Now
Another big move by Kent Hughes is officially confirmed at the Montreal Canadiens with the trade concluded last summer with the Colorado Avalanche for Alex Newhook.
Following the successful acquisition he made a year earlier with Kirby Dach, Kent Hughes tried the experiment again to accelerate the rebuilding process of his organization by adding Newhook in exchange for two draft picks.
The excellent Marc-Olivier Beaudoin provides a perfect summary of the number 15 from the Canadiens' first year:
« Alex Newhook was acquired on June 27th in return for the #31 and #37 picks in the 2023 draft.
He had collected 30 points in 82 games with the Avalanche (0.37ppg).
This season, he has collected 25 in 46 (0.54ppg) while being shuffled between wing and center and without having ‘top 6' caliber line mates (notably Armia and Anderson).
There is progression in offensive statistics. And he just turned 23 in January. If he stays healthy and plays with top 6 caliber players, he will be able to produce 50-55 points/season in my opinion.
A good transaction on the part of Kent Hughes? It's too early to affirm without any doubt, of course, but it seems to be pointing in the right direction! » - Marc-Olivier Beaudoin
With a record of 12 goals and 25 points in 46 games, the 23-year-old forward is producing at a pace of 45 points over a full season. This is a clear improvement compared to the 33 and 30 point seasons he achieved with the Avalanche.
It must also be said that he has managed to be successful despite the fact he was playing with very ordinary line mates.
Even though he looked good, Joshua Roy is at the beginning of his career and was playing his first games in the NHL, so he was not an ideal play partner for Newhook. Armia and Anderson definitely do not fit into the top-6 player category either.
Moreover, the Newfoundland native had big shoes to fill as the second center, which is probably not his best position in the long term. It will be interesting to see what he can do next year over a full season with a significantly stronger line, especially with the return of Dach to the lineup.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him easily surpass the 50-point mark in 2024-2025, especially if the Canadiens' general manager succeeds in making another trade that could add offensive talent to join the team's top-6 as early as next season.
In an ideal world, if the arrival of several quality players at the CH were to move Newhook to a third line in the long term, it would mean that Martin St-Louis' squad would be highly competitive on the ice.
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31 MARS | 227 ANSWERS Major update on trade between the Canadiens and Avalanche Are you happy with Alex Newhook's first season in Montreal? |
| Yes | 200 | 88.1 % |
| No | 27 | 11.9 % |
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