Alex Newhook: there were talks with the Canadiens a year ago

Colorado didn’t trade Alex Newhook to the Habs because they don’t believe in the kid. They traded him to the Habs to free up salary for a guy who wasn’t ready for what the club is trying to do in 2023-2024: win the Cup.

It’s simply the circumstances that explain his trade.

Right now in the NHL, there are many players available for salary purposes. Newhook was one of them… and Colorado is proud to have obtained two good assets.

With good reason.

Because yes, picks #31 and #37 are assets. If many clubs think the NHL is going to be in turmoil, it’s mainly because of the Canadiens… and the Avalanche’s picks.

Joe Sakic’s club could turn the picks into established players.

What’s interesting is that the CH got their hands on a young player with high potential. After all, to let two picks go like that, the gamble has to make sense.

And in light of what his college coach had to say, the youngster is worth it.

All this to say that Kent Hughes is logically a GM who had the young man in his sights because he was his agent, but also as a GM looking for young talent.

And as Elliotte Friedman tells us in today’s podcast, the young man was at the heart of certain discussions between Colorado and the Canadiens for the 2022 draft.

I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that he was also discussed in the Artturi Lehkonen deal, me…

I imagine the fact that he was still on his entry-level contract at the time (he’ll be a restricted free agent on Saturday) and had a year less in the body forced Colorado to be cautious last draft.

But now, after a 2023 playoff run that didn’t measure up to what we saw in 2022 (Stanley Cup), maybe Denver’s bosses have decided they need to act.

It often takes time to find a young player.

In bursts

– If he’d wanted to play in Montreal, he wouldn’t have signed for eight years.

– Timo Meier about to put down roots in Newark.

– Notice for those who want to know about the cap.

– What a player.

– You already know.