Alex Newhook’s injury: Emil Heineman is lucky to get up at the right time

On Saturday morning, the Canadiens announced that forward Alex Newhook would be out for at least 10 weeks. He could even miss three months with a sprained ankle.

10 weeks is Valentine’s Day. And 12 weeks is almost the trade deadline.

This is a tough blow for the Habs, as the new hook had six points in his last seven games. After starting the season with seven points in 16 games, he had taken off.

Alongside Nick Suzuki, he seemed to be blossoming. The sample size was small, but he was finding his rhythm.

Among the forwards, the CH will be without Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook for a while yet. And of course, in Dach’s case, it will be until 2024-2025.

To compensate, Mitchell Stephens is a member of the CH until further notice. He was recalled from Laval in the last few days, on the strength of his 72 games (and 10 points) of NHL experience with Tampa Bay and Detroit.

We know he was doing well in Laval (12 points in 16 games), and the fact that he’s a center made him a candidate for recall. As a result, Sean Monahan was able to play on the wing of the first trio on Saturday night.

But the fact remains that the NHL veteran played at the expense of one of the organization’s youngsters. The Habs are a rebuilding club, but the only youngster to make his NHL debut for the Habs this season was defenseman Jayden Struble.

This raises the question of whether the Habs might eventually want to make room for one of their young prospects.

Joshua Roy’s name comes to mind quickly, but his effort and performance aren’t up to par right now. He has time to catch up, but right now, he needs some mileage down low.

Sean Farrell, who has a few NHL games in him? He’s injured. Xavier Simoneau? I don’t know how management sees him.

Unless they want to bring back a guy with mileage a la Lias Andersson or Philippe Maillet, it’s possible to think that forward Emil Heineman could be an option.

It’s still early to talk about it because he’s just returned from injury, but on Saturday, in his fourth game of the season and second game since his injury, the hopeful scored and picked up an assist.

He has three points in four games, but needs to get back into the swing of things. He’s helping himself, though, having fired seven shots on net in two games since his return.

However, if he can get back into the swing of things, Heineman is a talented player who left a fine calling card at the CH’s last camp and at the end of his season in Laval last year. He scored seven times in 11 regular-season games.

He’s got pro mileage in Europe, and if he wants to play in the NHL, he’s got a chance to rise. Because let’s face it: in all due respect, he’s better equipped to help the CH score goals in the coming weeks than Mitchell Stephens. And goals are exactly what the CH is looking for.

In gusto

– The Canadiens are 114 years old. They’ll be celebrating against the NHL’s youngest team.

A birthday, a plateau and a trophy to celebrate, tonight.

Pre-game @SkipTheDisheshttps://t.co/VLQQ4pzFgU

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 4, 2023

Governors meet in Seattle.

Greetings from Seattle. What to expect from NHL Board of Governors meeting – expansion, cap talk, gambling, more.
My latest for@TheAthletic https://t.co/ji5FhAX1tN

– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 4, 2023

– Connor McDavid alongside Avril Lavigne? Welcome to the Canadian Hall of Fame. [HF]

– Curse.

– Attention all interested parties.