Idea: Alex Newhook on the same trio as Caufield and Suzuki

Many fans and experts were wondering what the Montreal Canadiens would do with the Florida Panthers’ first-round pick.

I was trying to spot interesting targets on the scouts’ final lists just before the draft, but nothing turned me on any more than that.

Among the possible scenarios, I’d have to say that the one involving the Colorado Avalanche’s Alex Newhook wasn’t there at all.

Accompanied by the 37th pick, the Tricolore finally traded the Panthers’ choice to obtain the young versatile forward.

Even if he didn’t have a great second season, the fact remains that he wasn’t accompanied by stars on his trio and had few chances within the top-6. And when he did play on the first two threes, it was because star players were injured.

Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin all missed at least 10 games due to injury, if not 30, as was the case with Landeskog.

On defense, Cale Makar and Bowen Byram also missed several games last year.

It’s not with less than 14 minutes per game of playing time that a young player gets a chance to shine.

That’s why I think the addition of Newhook to the CH is a very good option.

He brings a lot of speed, as well as defensive stability and a maturity that seems superior to his age group.

He could make an excellent trio mate for Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. He’d be able to keep up with the pace of the team’s two young stars, while complementing them well.

That’s what Arpon Basu had to say in one of his recent articles on The Athletic. In it, Basu looks back at the CH draft, as well as anticipating what might happen in the off-season.

“Despite the surplus of centers, Newhook doesn’t have to play center. The Habs see him as a player who can add speed to the wing of any trio, including Suzuki and Caufield.” – Arpon Basu

As most know, the Tricolore finds itself with a surplus of forwards, and even defensemen, under contract as the autonomous player market approaches.

We can therefore deduce that the Habs should be very quiet with free agents.

As Arpon Basu mentioned in his text, if the CH makes any move, it should be by transaction to free up space in the club’s line-up.

For several weeks now, the names of Joel Edmundson, Mike Hoffman and Christian Dvorak have often been mentioned in trade rumours. However, a team needs to show interest, because to take on salaries like these, the price doesn’t have to be high.

Many teams will be tight on payroll, which will only increase by $1 million next season, making any trade difficult. In most cases, you have to pay to get rid of large salaries.

Marc Antoine Godin also believes that the CH will be quiet this weekend, but he raised the idea of signing an experienced defenseman for the Laval Rocket.

Connor Carrick would be a good addition, with 44 points in 63 games this season.

A less popular name like Nikolas Brouillard could also be an option.

We know how much the CH loves to have Quebecers in the minors, and an offensive defenseman like Brouillard would be an excellent addition. Brouillard scored 39 points in 72 games with the Anaheim Ducks training club.

A left-handed defenseman who prefers to play on the right side doesn’t come along very often.

The Tricolore has several options at this level. We can’t wait to see how Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton organize the roster between now and the start of the 2023-2024 season.

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