Player Discussion Alex Newhook (Part 2) : Book an Appointment with New Look Edition

[ahmedou]

 

[Andrei79]

I think this might have been his best game as a Canadiens.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

Massive game, forecheck, gain the zone, create pressure and chances all night. Finally getting Laine off his line has really put them on even ground and no longer down a man.

 

[ryan callahan]

His speed has definitely been showcased in this series. If he can keep being such a waterbug he won't have to hit the net. He can just be an annoying forechecking 3rd liner.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

As Newhooks probable biggest hater, after another bad first period from him where we had been dominating o-zone possession just to have it die on his stick immediately.. and then have him give the puck away again in the o-zone shortly after immediately followed by taking a dumb tripping penalty.. and a few chances where he ripped it wide as per usual..
I figured it was a safe bet we were in for another typical infuriating game from him.

He actually wasn't bad the second half of the game and FINALLY got a shot onto the net. Props to him. He owed us one (well, more than one) after how many easy goals he's fumbled.
I pray to god this game gives him some confidence to stop playing so badly with the puck.
Much much better suited for bottom 6 wing where his speed can be utilized to forecheck to help others make something happen with the puck / draw penalties.

He has been a f***ing nightmare to have to watch in the top 6 / 2C position, but he may still serve a role yet as a bottom 6 energy winger.

 

[eurodin]

As Newhooks probable biggest hater, after another bad first period from him where we had been dominating o-zone possession just to have it die on his stick immediately.. and then have him give the puck away again in the o-zone shortly after immediately followed by taking a dumb tripping penalty.. and a few chances where he ripped it wide as per usual..
I figured it was a safe bet we were in for another typical infuriating game from him.

He actually wasn't bad the second half of the game and FINALLY got a shot onto the net. Props to him. He owed us one (well, more than one) after how many easy goals he's fumbled.
I pray to god this game gives him some confidence to stop playing so badly with the puck.
Much much better suited for bottom 6 wing where his speed can be utilized to forecheck to help others make something happen with the puck / draw penalties.

He has been a f***ing nightmare to have to watch in the top 6 / 2C position, but he may still serve a role yet as a bottom 6 energy winger.

His only problem is that he can't finnish. He does everything more or less well.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

His only problem is that he can't finnish. He does everything more or less well.

That’s debatable. I’d say he has a lot more problems than just that.
Just glad he finally had a decent half game.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

That’s debatable. I’d say he has a lot more problems than just that.
Just glad he finally had a decent half game.

Did you only watch half the game? Him and his line were very strong in the 1st, they created the 1st goal for crying out loud and he drew a penalty. Even Caps fans were saying his line is causing them issues. I guess haters gonna hate and throw these weak shitty backhanded compliments. At the end of the day no one cares, Laine is gone and the line is rolling, stay salty I guess xD

 

[Miller Time]

If he gets rolling, watch out.

 

[CrashOut]

His only problem is that he can't finnish. He does everything more or less well.

His only problem?

He barely got to 10 assists in a full season playing top-6 minutes.

He is far from having only 1 problem. Aside from rushing the puck with speed and taking a shot, which he does at high end level, he has nothing else offensively. No vision, no creativity, no playmaking abilities or passing.

Modern day Byron with a bit less acceleration I'd say.

 

[JianYang]

His only problem?

He barely got to 10 assists in a full season playing top-6 minutes.

He is far from having only 1 problem. Aside from rushing the puck with speed and taking a shot, which he does at high end level, he has nothing else offensively. No vision, no creativity, no playmaking abilities or passing.

Modern day Byron with a bit less acceleration I'd say.

I don't think top 6 will be his thing when he finds his chair. Maybe a fringe top 6. He does create space and he does find ways to get chances. His finish is not top 6 level, and id also argue that the habs don't really have a top 6. It's more like a top 3, and then a bottom 9, given that Laine hasn't been able to do much outside of the PP.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

That’s debatable. I’d say he has a lot more problems than just that.
Just glad he finally had a decent half game.

He is a great 3rd liner and the jury is still out as a 2nd liner. Getting him away from trash like Laine is huge and your criticism of Newhook has consistently been way over the top and largely unjustified.

 

[CHarlie]

So happy for Newhook.....love his speed, forcheck and grit......and toss in the odd goal....great third line C.

 

[CzarDemidov]

I’m glad he got the monkey off his back. Scoring on an ice cold backup goalie is always nice.

 

[Rob Sense]

I think this might have been his best game as a Canadiens.

Best 3rd period. He sucked in the first 2.

 

[Lshap]

His only problem is that he can't finnish. He does everything more or less well.

He may not 'finnish', but he scanned-inavian the ice to generate some good plays.

 

[That Habs Fan]

I don't hate Newhook, I just hate that he has had to play 2nd line centre when he's clearly a winger (can't win faceoffs to save his life) and probably a 3rd liner at best.

In time he'll settle into his right role, patience!

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Once he finds his role, he’ll be a player. Not unlike Anderson I think

 

[Sam I Am]

His only problem is that he can't finnish. He does everything more or less well.

The same was said about Lehkonen year after year. How's he been doing in Colorado?

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

The same was said about Lehkonen year after year. How's he been doing in Colorado?

I was gonna say the same thing in my post!
Lehky flubbed chances constantly.

I’m not trying to immune him from criticism. I just think he’s got tools and can be better

 

[Soaker]

I’m glad he got the monkey off his back. Scoring on an ice cold backup goalie is always nice.

Scoring is always nice,don't matter where or when or against who.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

Did you only watch half the game? Him and his line were very strong in the 1st, they created the 1st goal for crying out loud and he drew a penalty. Even Caps fans were saying his line is causing them issues. I guess haters gonna hate and throw these weak shitty backhanded compliments. At the end of the day no one cares, Laine is gone and the line is rolling, stay salty I guess xD

I watched the entire game. Did you not watch the first period? When two lines (one before his, and then his line) were maintaining and dominating o-zone possession cycling well UNTIL he touched the puck for the first time and immediately lost the puck and the zone? And dozens of posters in the game chat called him out on it because it was typical - where plays go to die.
Then again, he lost the puck doing too much exactly where Laine has been losing it, then chased back down the ice and took a dumb and unnecessary penalty out of frustration? Where the entire game chat thread again ripped on him and said they were done with his shit?
Also missing the net twice on good scoring opportunities in the first.

Because I did watch it, and that DID happen. His linemates played good in the first, he had a negative affect. Arguing that he didn’t, you’re either blindly supporting him, in denial, or didn’t watch it. The only good thing he did in the first period was a simple 4 foot pass to give it to Carrier so he could walk the line and rip it top corner from the blue line. Happy he finally got an assist but let’s not act like he played well in the first. He killed more plays than he helped.
I’m NOT denying he turned it around and played well in the second half. Why are you trying to claim he played well in the first half when he killed plays multiple times and took a bad penalty? Facts are facts.

I can acknowledge when he finally pulls his head out of his ass and starts to play well.
For OneSharpMarble you seem to struggle to see the obvious, when he plays like absolute shit. (Which has been 90% of his play this year)

 

[Apfle Strubble]

If the refs are going to calll interference penalties as consistently as yesterday, he's going to be good for 1 or 2 per game. Duhaime and TVR couldn't keep up with his speed

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Once he finds his role, he’ll be a player. Not unlike Anderson I think

On a team that has a roster filled with too many average , if not mediocre skaters ( Laine, Savard, Xhekaj, Armia, Gallagher, Dvorak, Slafkovsky) Newhook provides the essential element of speed. While he will never be high scorer, Newhook’s 200 foot speed opens up the ice for his line makes as opponents have to respect Newhook’s skating when he’s carrying the puck, breaking for open ice or on the forecheck. Ask yourself: how many other forwards do we have who can play the slingshot role on the power play effectively once Suzuki gets tired? In a couple of years it may be Demidov or, more probably, Hage. But right now, it’s Newhook.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

I watched the entire game. Did you not watch the first period? When two lines (one before his, and then his line) were maintaining and dominating o-zone possession cycling well UNTIL he touched the puck for the first time and immediately lost the puck and the zone? And dozens of posters in the game chat called him out on it because it was typical - where plays go to die.
Then again, he lost the puck doing too much exactly where Laine has been losing it, then chased back down the ice and took a dumb and unnecessary penalty out of frustration? Where the entire game chat thread again ripped on him and said they were done with his shit?
Also missing the net twice on good scoring opportunities in the first.

Because I did watch it, and that DID happen. His linemates played good in the first, he had a negative affect. Arguing that he didn’t, you’re either blindly supporting him, in denial, or didn’t watch it. The only good thing he did in the first period was a simple 4 foot pass to give it to Carrier so he could walk the line and rip it top corner from the blue line. Happy he finally got an assist but let’s not act like he played well in the first. He killed more plays than he helped.
I’m NOT denying he turned it around and played well in the second half. Why are you trying to claim he played well in the first half when he killed plays multiple times and took a bad penalty? Facts are facts.

I can acknowledge when he finally pulls his head out of his ass and starts to play well.
For OneSharpMarble you seem to struggle to see the obvious, when he plays like absolute shit. (Which has been 90% of his play this year)

He's the one who gained the zone and forchecked hard enough to create the chance to score the first goal. He was driving the play on his line all night. He also caused Washington to draw a penalty in the first and then another one later.

It makes sense, you're bitter and trying to downplay his game so you look less foolish. Be less salty and try to watch the game without your bias.