Alex Newhook could be a Kirby Dach 2.0 for the Canadiens

It seems to me that every time there’s talk of a potential Canadiens acquisition, whether in the draft, by trade or on the free agent market, Kent Hughes knows about it.

I wonder if it’s just a feeling, or simply reality. Anyway.

The Athletic has published a list of 5 players who could interest the Tricolore this summer, in light of what’s happened in the playoffs so far.

The list includes forward Josh Bailey and defensemen Alex Goligoski and Sean Walker. Marc-Antoine Godin also talks about Alexis Lafrenière, but from a perspective where he unpacks why this isn’t very plausible.

First on the list is young Avalanche forward Alex Newhook. The 22-year-old BCHL draft pick finds himself in a similar situation to Kirby Dach last summer – he’s just not making it to the next level with his team.

Nevertheless, the sixteenth overall pick (one spot behind Cole Caufield) scored 13 and 14 goals in his first two NHL seasons, for totals of 33 points in 71 games and 30 points in 82 games.

In the playoffs, he played just over 9 minutes per game… And of course, Kent Hughes knows him very well, Newhook being one of his son’s best friends.

A good target for the Habs? Of course, he’s interesting, and it’s easy to make the connection between the two clans.

But you also have to consider the Avalanche, who might want to try and give him a bigger role if they lose J.T. Compher and/or Lars Eller. Compher and/or Lars Eller.

Would the Panthers’ choice be good enough bait to start discussions? Only time will tell, if there is indeed interest over the summer.

In Burst

– Two Quebec goalkeepers in the net!

– It’s on.

– You?