Confirmed with Link: Alex Newhook for 31st, 37th and Fairbrother

[JeffreyLFC]

good point I heard on the radio.

TB had Point, Stamkos and they are small...but they put grit around them

Stamkos is not small...

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

i like the deal but i don't like what it means for who we might pick at #5, we added another small forward when we have a lot of similar players coming up and a few already on the roster

i think this deal means that we're way less likely to pick Michkov at 5

Yup. However it does also say we aren’t passing on Michkov due to size. Perhaps there is legitimacy to the character concerns.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

The point is that people are making a stink over him being 5'10" and 190 lbs like he's a small player simply because they just look for anything to display their displeasure with the move. They're talking like he's Sean Farrell-sized.

Barring any other trades, next year, the guys I listed are on the roster.

The size is actually my main problem with it. I don't mind giving up the picks. But we need size and elite talent on this team. This move brings us neither and therefore appears useless to me. All it gives us is another undersized body.

Like, this is not some overreaction to the Dubois hype train that was going on. This is just my reaction to them trading valuable assets for what seems to be something that as useless as tits on a bull to our organizational makeup.

The fact that it happened in such proximity with us not getting Dubois really makes it look like a panic move.

I don't for one second feel Hughes made a panic move, like that to me just makes no sense, panic over what? Do you listen to him speak, does he sound like a guy that panics much? Or isn't very intelligent? What has he done wrong so far that leads you to believe he would indeed feel the need to panic here?

For years and years on this site I have said what feels like a million times that HF posters overrate height. Give me great lower body strength and good solid frame any day. So 5'10 to me I don't care, how strong is he especially lower body, how well does he use his frame, etc... I haven't seen him since his NCAA days, he was very good there and his AHL stats despite very small sample are very impressive so I'm willing to give it time.

I am not tired of this team being pushed around if I'm honest, because I haven't sat and watched a full Habs game in some time (I don't think I saw 1 full game this year). But even if I did I wouldn't care that much because I don't believe we are close to a contender and got to think we are years away and that many if not most from this years roster will not be here when we are contenders. So in the end the main thing I care about is getting the best draft picks we can (which remains to be seen, there's some good some really good, some bad and some very concerning picks from last year but 1 year out is tough to get much of a read one way or the other)

The other thing is the development. There likely isn't many on this board that place more stock into development then me, I really believe they found the HC in MSL, and I think they found the GM in Hughes, so that's 2 checks. Now can they actually develop prospects, only time will tell but you listen to Adam Nicholas then you should be at least somewhat hopefully they can actually do this.

I will take your points one at a time:

-I have to judge people by their actions, not what they say. A good snake oil salesman can justify just about anything. The overpayment seems to add to that.

-I think many of us rate size at the exact spot it should be rated. I realize you can be 5'10" with good lower-body strength, but you'll stull be overpowered by someone who's 6'2" with good lower-body strength. You can have 5'10" players on the team, but you need to surround them with size.

Look at Suzuki. He's thick, but he just isn't that strong relative to other NHLers, sorry. Because of that, he and his line often have problems getting the puck out of our own end.

-If you're not watching Canadiens games, there's generally a reason for that. Maybe you're a little tired of what they bring to the table as well? I mean, I don't know your situation and life definitely gets in the way, but there was a time in my life that I worked 70-hour weeks and still found some time to watch a game here and there. Regardless, they've been tiny and getting pushed around for... maybe two decades? So I'm sure you might have noticed it at some point.

-We'll have to see how MSL and Hughes do. Despite what our fanbase is saying, there's yet to be evidence they're the development gurus everyone things they are.

PR panic?!?! Lolol If you had read social media, 70% of the francophones did not want PLD after he had made his nest with his 8.5+ salary demands.

No PR move. If it were to be a PR move Girard would have been the target, or any other franco.

You're entitled to your opinion of course, but the vibe I was getting from Hab fans was a frenzy around PLD. Heck, look at our very own topics here on this forum. This seems to be an emergency backup move to deflect from that failure.

 

[The Great Weal]

Chances are 31, 37, Mesar, Roy, Kidney, Farrell never amount to what Newhook already is.

I'm holding on for Beck, but he may not either. Let's see what MSL can do with him.

Let's get Michkov now.

I disagree about Roy

 

[Beendair Donedat]

So in the deepest draft in a while you trade away a 1st and a 2nd because you have too many prospects? Roy and Beck are our top forward prospects, yeah sure. HuGo fans will buy this I don't, it smells.

It smells exactly like Hughes is going to trade back from 5 to 7 or 8, and extract a heavy price to do so, my guess - and please understand I’m just a professional amateur - Hughes didn’t like something about Michkov and is waiting to see who will give him the most to move into that spot.

I suspect it’s the Flyers, and I assume the deal would look something like:

To Philadelphia: 5th overall, 2023 4th round pick (acquired from Pittsburgh)

To Montreal: 7th overall, 22nd overall, Florida Panthers 2024 1st round pick.

If the cost to acquire Alex Newhook is a first and a second, along with a “B” prospect, than the cost to move up to get Russia’s top prospect since Ovechkin, is going to be 3 first rounders.

If Hughes is able to swing something along these lines for 5th overall, I’d be happy. It would give us a minimum of two first round picks from 2022 to 2025.

I’m assuming we’d be drafting Ryan Leonard with the 7th pick, and possibly one of Willander, Musty, or Ritchie at 22nd.

Leonard and Willander along with Newhook would be a pretty solid get for the first couple days of the draft, although I’m not sold on Newhook at all…

 

[Omar]

This has trading 5 for 7+22 written all over it and I hate it. But I like Newhook

 

[sampollock]

Stamkos is not small...

Height 6.00 -- Weight 182

 

[HabbyGuy]

He had 20 lbs on Michkov when he was Michkov's age too.

OK? doesn't mean Michkov won't bulk up because Newhook hasn't.

This isn't about Michkov anyway, it's about the suggestion by Basu the habs wouldn't go this route due to his size concerns.

This clearly wasn't an issue.

 

[Nedved]

This trade smells of us trading back at the draft tomorrow night. I'm okay with it. Honestly, we drafted Mesar last year, and have had a lot of 2nd round busts. Maybe they felt Newhook was better than any guy they wanted @ 31.

I really think we trade back tomorrow night.

 

[Andrei79]

Newhook has like 20+ lbs on Michkov.

Newhook is short, but he's built.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Newhook was the guy I wanted them to pick in 2019, until Caufield fell. I do remember rating Newhook's shot almost as good, if not as good as Caufield's back then. I expect him to be more of a goal scorer if he plays on the wing. A conscious one, because he plays both ways naturally.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Height 6.00 -- Weight 182

That's pretty average.
Small is 5'9 and below.

 

[ArtPeur]

Hughes had said he was gunna get a goalie with our 2nd rounder didn’t he? I predict we will trade 5 and DVo to Philly for 7 and Hart now

Why would Philly do that?

 

[Kaladin]

I'm good with the trade in isolation. Decent roll of the dice and was a big fan of his in his draft year. Hopefully he can play wing. Otherwise, it doesn't make much sense.

If this impacts whether or not they pick Michkov? Fail. Honestly Newhook isn't too far off legendary power forward Ryan Leonard's height so how small could be really be?

 

[OldCraig71]

I am not a fan of the small guys and we just added another one. Sigh.

 

[Goalfield13]

Suzuki and Cole were key cobtributers to a cup final. Newhook played a role on a cup champion. Hughes, I see you.

 

[Apfel Struble]

Looking at Newhook's last season in hindsight, his sophomore slump can really be put in context with the Avs environment:
- Winning the cup in his rookie year, he had a shortened offseason to train, which is pretty important early for an young player, as well as what I assume was a few weeks of partying off. The cup hangover can be real with young players, Caufield in particular had it rough for example
- Consequence of the long playoffs, a LOT of Avs players got injured this season and Newhook had to play with somewhat of a revolving door of less talented linemates
- The Avs couldn't afford deploying Newhook without getting results quick since their reg season record wasn't as great as the year before and thus they were more conservative in his general icetime quality

Taking this into account, the dip of 0.10 P/G, while significant could be attributed to the injuries and general worse state of the team. Newhook went from being 8th in P/60 in 2021-2021 to 6th in 2022-2023 so his relative impact on the teams even strength offence did improve a little

This is an interesting trade, though I don't think it's that similar to the Dach one last year. Dach was much more of an enigma as a player with serious concerns regarding his injuries but with a massive frame and draft pedigree. Newhook in contrast has played 182 games over the last two seasons, he has no injury concern. He seems to be on a trajectory to become a 20 goals-50/60 points smalish center/winger with very low risk

This is Hughes adding what will probably be a quality complementary player to his core. If anything it could be his insurance policy before taking a gamble on Michkov tomorrow

 

[sampollock]

That's pretty average.
Small is 5'9 and below.

ya true Capt Hook is heavier

 

[Beer and Chips]

You should have zero expectations from Hoffman and Armia. Bringing them up is just operating in bad faith.

Why don't you bring up Monahan, Anderson, Gallagher, Edmundson, Savard, Matheson or Allen as veteran support for the youth? Why do you bring up Hoffman and Armia?

Because they are weak links on a team with possible stars, they coast through their contracts, young players provide twice their energy and effort while short term is more effective and suitable to a young team looking for an identity, they need good veterans to learn from. Monahan is ideal for Slavkovsky and Gallagher while he is fresh and healthy. Everyone says Anderson is learning under MSL, I hope so, Dach will have him and hopefully RHP to provide energy. The defense is another topic.
Monahan, Anderson, and Gallagher are still a weak veteran group I would like to add to but HuGo seems intent to add more questionable young players like Newhook. I hope they have a plan.

 

[Skip Bayless]

This trade smells of us trading back at the draft tomorrow night. I'm okay with it. Honestly, we drafted Mesar last year, and have had a lot of 2nd round busts. Maybe they felt Newhook was better than any guy they wanted @ 31.

I really think we trade back tomorrow night.

It will depend on Smith getting picked by then, which is more likely than not.

I do believe Hughes doesn't make this trade if he doesn't know that to be the case though.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Hate that trade
We have a bunch of prospects who can do what he brings to the table, why trade for him?

Hopefully I'll be proven wrong

 

[26Mats]

I'm betting we see

Newhook - Dach - Anderson as a line next year

RHP would be great for Slaf, with Monahan on the 3rd line.

 

[waitin425]

I disagree about Roy

Well. If Roy follows Newhooks trajectory he should be getting into the NHL now for 71ish games this season. We are so quick to poo poo on Newhook, but with that perspective, it's important to remember he is still young and has lots of runway.

Personally, I like speed. From what I see Newhook is a vastly better skater than Roy.

 

[eklund the clown]

Because Newhook is not a 2nd line player

On a Stanley cup contender at 21 years old

 

[HabbyGuy]

This has trading 5 for 7+22 written all over it and I hate it. But I like Newhook

Please explain why this have a move down written all over it for those of us in the back. Because I don't understand how you've come to this conclusion.