Canadiens forward Alex Newhook to return to lineup Saturday vs. Dallas Stars

The Montréal Canadiens received positive news this morning that forward Alex Newhook will return to the lineup tomorrow versus the Dallas Stars.

Newhook has been out since early December 2023 following a high-ankle sprain he suffered in a game against the Florida Panthers where he fell and slid feet-first into the side of the Florida net at full speed, with his left leg appearing to twist awkwardly as he collided with the goal.

Newhook was sidelined for 10-12 weeks with the injury and made a successful recovery. The 22-year-old has notched seven goals and six assists for 13 points in 23 games this season and prior to his injury ranked fourth among Canadiens skaters.

Newhook arrived in Montréal last summer when the Canadiens traded picks No. 31 (Mikhail Gulyayev) and 37 in the 2023 NHL Draft, along with defenseman Gianni Fairbrother, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for his RFA rights. The Canadiens subsequently signed him to a four-year contract with a cap hit of $2.9 million per season.

The Avalanche originally selected Newhook in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. The St. John’s, Newfoundland product made his NHL debut with the Avs in 2020–21 and won the Stanley Cup with the team the following season, collecting four points in 12 playoff games.

Newhook racked up 30 points in back-to-back seasons with the Avalanche before being traded to the Canadiens. Through 182 games in his NHL career to date, the 5’11” forward has collected 34 goals and 79 points.

Montréal currently sits sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 21-21-8 record and 50 points through 50 games. They currently trail eight points back of the Detroit Red Wings and nine points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning.