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

[le_sean]

Newhook does things that very few players on this team do. He actually forchecks, he creates turnovers and once Laine got dumped his line could create pressure. He also is really good at gaining zone entry with control, he can dump the puck and actually beat the defenders to it. I know these things are not important to his haters because they don't actually follow hockey, they only watch stat sheets but next year he will have a chance with a more functional line and I think he will perform much better.

Thats a funny way of saying he has one move - carry the puck himself and try to beat 3 defenders.

In no way did he ever create pressure in the offensive zone. He doesn’t know what to do and he knows even less once the puck is on his stick.

Saying his haters don’t watch hockey is the opposite of what is happening. The stat sheet does not record the 3 opportunities that he f***s up every game because he’s not intelligent and folds when there is any semblance of pressure on him.

 

[TRG]

Skates well, works hard but that's not enough at this level. And he doesn't bring enough to keep him. We saw in this series that we need more physical players (regardless of pure size).

He may still develop into a useful bottom 6 in this league but because of his skillset, I think we should move him.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

Thats a funny way of saying he has one move - carry the puck himself and try to beat 3 defenders.

In no way did he ever create pressure in the offensive zone. He doesn’t know what to do and he knows even less once the puck is on his stick.

Saying his haters don’t watch hockey is the opposite of what is happening. The stat sheet does not record the 3 opportunities that he f***s up every game because he’s not intelligent and folds when there is any semblance of pressure on him.

Thanks for proving you don't actually watch the games. He regularly gains the zone and often with control so he can turn back and pass it. Weird how such a bad player was never benched, almost like reality is different than the nonsense you're spewing.

His line got instantly better once Laine was off, hence why Laine was not brought back but sure keep making up shit.

 

[le_sean]

Thanks for proving you don't actually watch the games. He regularly gains the zone and often with control so he can turn back and pass it. Weird how such a bad player was never benched, almost like reality is different than the nonsense you're spewing.

His line got instantly better once Laine was off, hence why Laine was not brought back but sure keep making up shit.

Yeah I don’t watch the games. He’s an elite player. Imagine where we’d be without him.

His line got better when the worst 5v5 player in the entire NHL was off it, and Evans, a player with actual hockey sense replaced him.

So much better that they got how many points? Or are you going to point to his one PP goal in a 6-3 game as some type of proof that he’s elite?

Yeah he gains the zone, then proceeds to do absolutely nothing.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

Yeah I don’t watch the games. He’s an elite player. Imagine where we’d be without him.

His line got better when the worst 5v5 player in the entire NHL was off it, and Evans, a player with actual hockey sense replaced him.

So much better that they got how many points? Or are you going to point to his one PP goal in a 6-3 game as some type of proof that he’s elite?

"Wah wah wah...points and assists! He only does 1 thing every game over and over!"

Yeah you got it man, you really nailed it. Man MSL must be blind he doesn't have your incredible vision.

It's all about the points with you guys, go watch your stat sheets and leave the actual hockey to people who watch.

 

[le_sean]

"Wah wah wah...points and assists! He only does 1 thing every game over and over!"

Yeah you got it man, you really nailed it. Man MSL must be blind he doesn't have your incredible vision.

It's all about the points with you guys, go watch your stat sheets and leave the actual hockey to people who watch.

Does he kill penalties?

Does he hit?

Does he win faceoffs?

Does he shutdown top players?

The answer to all of that is no. So the only thing he can bring to a team is offence. 28 points in 87 games while playing 15 mins a game and PP2. My goodness what a player.

And yeah, the same coach that thought David Savard was NHL quality decided to play Newhook. What a surprise.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

I still think he can be a useful player for us down the road for us as a bottom 6 player. He is signed to a friendly deal. Now, if he gets traded, I won't lose any sleep over it but don't expect much in return...

 

[OneSharpMarble]

Does he kill penalties?

Does he hit?

Does he win faceoffs?

Does he shutdown top players?

The answer to all of that is no. So the only thing he can bring to a team is offence. 28 points in 87 games while playing 15 mins a game and PP2. My goodness what a player.

And yeah, the same coach that thought David Savard was NHL quality decided to play Newhook. What a surprise.

Does le Sean read?

I listed several things he does well but I guess I should have put it on a stat sheet for you to read it.

"Dur dur dur points points points. Savard didn't score many goals, he's terrible!"

MSL team got to the playoffs being the youngest team to ever do so, I give him a slight edge on your knowledge base.

You should apply for the job, you can then float your "moar goal is more gooder" idea, I'm sure you will blow their minds.

 

[DAChampion]

Newhook has some guardian angels: 1) Hughes paid a lot to acquire him (sunk cost), 2) that he’s fit and fast so there aren’t any doubts about his athletic ability/availability, and 3) there’s already so much roster turnover pending that they wouldn’t readily rush to add another player (ex)change.

Dach and Laine are medical doubts
Matheson is a pending 2026 UFA and an excessive LHD
Anderson has high trade value for the first time in two years
Gallagher is absolutely cooked
Dvorak, Armia, Pezzetta are UFAs
Savard is retiring
Xhekaj and Struble are unimpressive NHLers and could be easily upgraded

Between Gallagher, Newhook, and Anderson, the one that I would trade is Newhook, as he probably does the least value to this team.

 

[DAChampion]

"Dur dur dur points points points. Savard didn't score many goals, he's terrible!"

A guy like Newhook absolutely needs to produce more than 26 points per 82 games. He's comfortably below the "Mendoza line" for top six forwards.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

A guy like Newhook absolutely needs to produce more than 26 points per 82 games. He's comfortably below the "Mendoza line" for top six forwards.

Yeah this is a career low for him, I expect his next year to be much better. I can understand why it was so bad though.

 

[TRG]

Newhook does things that very few players on this team do. He actually forchecks, he creates turnovers and once Laine got dumped his line could create pressure. He also is really good at gaining zone entry with control, he can dump the puck and actually beat the defenders to it. I know these things are not important to his haters because they don't actually follow hockey, they only watch stat sheets but next year he will have a chance with a more functional line and I think he will perform much better.

That's not enough, I think that level of forecheck is easily replaced.

As for his zone entries, I wish he would do something with it. At this point, he's Scott Gomez without the vision. Gains the zone, loses the puck.

 

[Marioesque]

His line got instantly better once Laine was off, hence why Laine was not brought back but sure keep making up shit.

You don't get to make this argument. Newhooks line was the worst line in the NHL in minuses, waaaaay before Laine or any others joined the line.

Newhook line=worst line in the NHL whether he was center or winger, , without Laine or who ever was thrown into it afterwards.

They've tried many, and none have worked.

 

[DAChampion]

Yeah this is a career low for him, I expect his next year to be much better. I can understand why it was so bad though.

If this season was a fluke it's fine. For all we know, Newhook may have had a minor wrist injury.

I think that given Newhook 's context, the floor for him to have a secure spot is 40+ points a year, maybe 45, maybe less if he starts playing on the PK

But if you're willing to give Newhook the benefit of the doubt, why not Laine?

 

[CzarDemidov]

Between Gallagher, Newhook, and Anderson, the one that I would trade is Newhook, as he probably does the least value to this team.

Gallagher, despite his virtues and high IQ and character, is absolutely cooked I’d be happy to see him gone asap. Newhook doesn’t have a chair but we’ll see how the team handles him. Hopefully never again in a top6 role.

 

[The Great Weal]

Does le Sean read?

I listed several things he does well but I guess I should have put it on a stat sheet for you to read it.

"Dur dur dur points points points. Savard didn't score many goals, he's terrible!"

MSL team got to the playoffs being the youngest team to ever do so, I give him a slight edge on your knowledge base.

You should apply for the job, you can then float your "moar goal is more gooder" idea, I'm sure you will blow their minds.

MSL has nobody else, it doesn't mean he's obsessed with Newhook and think he's a phenomenal hockey player. He was averaging 15 minutes a game. You'd think MSL would find more ice time for his favourite player on the team that he relies on nonstop.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Does le Sean read?

I listed several things he does well but I guess I should have put it on a stat sheet for you to read it.

"Dur dur dur points points points. Savard didn't score many goals, he's terrible!"

MSL team got to the playoffs being the youngest team to ever do so, I give him a slight edge on your knowledge base.

You should apply for the job, you can then float your "moar goal is more gooder" idea, I'm sure you will blow their minds.

4th line numbers with 2nd line minutes and bad defensively. Yeah, he's invaluable.

 

[le_sean]

Does le Sean read?

I listed several things he does well but I guess I should have put it on a stat sheet for you to read it.

"Dur dur dur points points points. Savard didn't score many goals, he's terrible!"

MSL team got to the playoffs being the youngest team to ever do so, I give him a slight edge on your knowledge base.

You should apply for the job, you can then float your "moar goal is more gooder" idea, I'm sure you will blow their minds.

At least your username checks out

 

[le_sean]

4th line numbers with 2nd line minutes and bad defensively. Yeah, he's invaluable.

Buddy defines a 4th liner and thinks he’s invaluable. Even an actual 4th liner in Evans out produced him significantly along with actually being useful outside of points.

Maybe the NHL can create the Alex Newhook award, awarded to a player that can enter the zone.

 

[Sorinth]

The idea of having a really speedy player on the PK is that he can keep the opposing PP honest.

A fast player can steal the puck, maybe go on a breakaway and score. We've seen players like Eller, Pacioretty, and Lapierre do that. Coach St-Louis did that as a player.

Anderson is a shooter, so he's a threat to do that. But Newhook will not be a threat as his shot has low accuracy.

The value of speed, in particular acceleration isn't just about getting a breakaway and scoring goals, it's also about applying pressure which causes turn overs and allows clearing the zone.

Also I'm pretty sure if we look at last year's Anderson thread there would be plenty of "low accuracy" comments about him too. Not too sure Lapierre would in any way qualify as a better shooter.

It doesn't make sense for the team to keep a mediocre player on the roster simply because he might become an effective PKer.

For the record I don't think anyone is claiming we have to keep Newhook because he might become a good PKer. That's a complete strawman.

The reason we are likely to have Newhook on the roster next season is because he's under contract, has little to no trade value, and buying him out makes no sense. So given that he's likely to be on the roster we should try to find a role that he can have some success and contribute to the team. That's why the PK thing is brought up, there's likely to be openings given Dvorak and Armia are UFAs, and he's got the tools to be effective. Whether he actually would be effective is anybody's guess, so much of PK work is the player buy in, and we as fans can't assess that, though it's worth noting MSL did talk about how they asked Newhook to focus on the defensive side of the game this year, and we did see improvement over the year in that regard.

 

[TRG]

Gallagher, despite his virtues and high IQ and character, is absolutely cooked I’d be happy to see him gone asap. Newhook doesn’t have a chair but we’ll see how the team handles him. Hopefully never again in a top6 role.

He still had 21 goals this season, his line was our 2nd best, he's a good veteran and he didn't cost us.

I prefer we keep him and upgrade on Newhook. Gallagher will retire a Hab.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Thanks for proving you don't actually watch the games. He regularly gains the zone and often with control so he can turn back and pass it. Weird how such a bad player was never benched, almost like reality is different than the nonsense you're spewing.

His line got instantly better once Laine was off, hence why Laine was not brought back but sure keep making up shit.

Imagine trying to defend a fake center that played 15min+ average this season on the second line all year + 2nd unit PP and managed to get only 26 points in 82 while being completely useless on the dot or Defensively and even soft as Drouin

Meanwhile you say his line was better without Laine when Laine ended the season 33 points in 53 games while sucking heavily outside shooting the puck.

Mind Boggling how people gotta defend mediocrity just because he has 1 good attribute. Dude can't even pass the puck lmao

Habs dont need this kind of 1 trick pony player in the bottom 6. Useless waste of a roster space.

 

[CzarDemidov]

He still had 21 goals this season, his line was our 2nd best, he's a good veteran and he didn't cost us.

I prefer we keep him and upgrade on Newhook. Gallagher will retire a Hab.

Gallagher was cooked in the playoffs. No point pretending he has a role left to play.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

All that being said, maybe Newhook can reinvent himself as a Byron. Isn't Byron on our staff somewhere?

 

[DAChampion]

Gallagher was cooked in the playoffs. No point pretending he has a role left to play.

I expect Gallagher to be a 6-million dollar 4th liner for the remainder of his contract.