Canadiens’ Alex Newhook has the best opportunity of his NHL career after Kirby Dach injury

Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing else mattered when Alex Newhook lifted the Stanley Cup as a rookie in 2021-22.

The stint in the AHL? A lifetime ago. The first-round press box tour? It happens. Limited ice time? Who cares? The 21-year-old from St. John’s, Nfld., was bringing the trophy back to The Rock.

But the 2022-23 season made it clear that something needed to change. And after just two full seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, he was shipped off to Montreal in exchange for some draft capital back in June, giving him a fresh start on a young team with plenty of opportunities for someone like him.

It was a welcome change for Newhook, who saw his offense fall from 33 points in 71 games in 2021-22 to 30 points in a full 82-game slate in 2022-23. He was nearly invisible during the team’s first-round series against Seattle last spring, hitting the double-digit mark in ice time just twice in that series. For a player many expected to become the No. 2 center in Colorado, especially with Nazem Kadri out of town, it just wasn’t working.

And to think: Newhook was such a highly regarded prospect. His 102-point campaign with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies was one of the best by a Canadian Jr. A star in decades. And then he just obliterated the NCAA with two years at Boston College, proving he can handle more challenging competition. But it just never seemed to click in Colorado, for one reason or another. Whether it’s because he joined a club amid a competitive window – resulting in less ice time for a younger guy like him – or general inconsistent play, Newhook needed out.

Immediately, Newhook made his presence known with the Canadiens. He scored twice against Toronto in the season opener, showing chemistry with Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky. Both were looking to bounce back after injuries cut their seasons short last year, and the line delivered. Dach, in particular, played some of his best hockey in Montreal last year after a change of scenery, and the Canadiens were hoping to catch lighting in a bottle twice with Newhook in town.

But, perhaps ironically, Dach’s season is over. And Newhook might be the biggest benefactor.

For starters, Newhook is back at center, his natural position. Coach Martin St. Louis tried him there briefly during the preseason, but it seemed like the all-out attack from players looking for something to prove on the second line was the way to go when the games started mattering.

Newhook possesses a few of the same qualities that Dach has. Newhook has the speed, the skill, the strength around the net and is a good playmaker. But now there’s arguably more responsibility on Newhook’s shoulders than ever before in his career – and at the same time, very little pressure. The Habs’ management team has made it clear they want the young guys getting the key opportunities this year, and at 22, Newhook is still just finding his footing. It’s unlikely St. Louis will bench him for a bad stretch of games, but he might reward Newhook for the highlight moments.

Even after just three games, Newhook’s 55.38 Corsi-for percentage and 58.33 shots-for percentage at 5-on-5 are notable. Small sample size, sure, but a good start. We could see Newhook playing around 16-18 minutes a night, a big step forward from his career average of 13:49. It’s notable that Newhook played some solid hockey alongside Josh Anderson, who will slide in on Newhook’s wing for now.

But most of all, this might be the best opportunity to boost Newhook’s confidence. After sending goalies to the shadow realm before kicking off his NHL career, it hasn’t been an easy few years for the young forward. But the Canadiens clearly see him as a big part of the future after moving two top-37 picks in a strong 2023 NHL Draft to get him. The team can only go up from here, and it doesn’t matter if they go 0-79 the rest of the way. This year is all about development and finding things that work, and that gives Newhook the freedom to blossom into the player many believe he can still be.

Tuesday was a decent enough start. Despite the 5-2 loss, Newhook scored on a wrister for his first goal at the Bell Centre. It was a nice enough result for him personally, with Newhook being one of the few that seemed to show up for the third period. But like any hockey player, he won’t be happy unless his team is active in the win column.

“One thing’s clear,” an NHL scout said after Montreal’s season-opener, “He’s a smart, creative player. He’ll find ways to make himself useful in any scenario. It’s all about taking the next step forward now.”

So, while the circumstances are unfortunate, the opportunity is immaculate. Hopefully for the Canadiens, Newhook is up for the challenge.

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Canadiens’ Alex Newhook has the best opportunity of his NHL career after Kirby Dach injury

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