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

[malcb33]

Someone who is solid defensively, happy to stay back and let Hutson do his thing and cover for his mistake, be the guy to go dig pucks out along the boards ? I don't know players around the league enough anymore to suggest an actual player that would fit. Ideally that guy will be a stop gap waiting for Reinbacher who seem to be the ideal partner for Hutson. But to me having just Guhle who is a big body in your top 4 defense is a recipe for disaster. And you don't want to be forced to play Matheson 25-30 minutes again. And ideally you want LD-RD on every pair. So I see it like this :

Hutson-Big Physical solid vet RD
Guhle-Carrier
Matheson-Reinbacher
Xhekaj

I like your D pairings, and hear what you're saying. The challenge is, like you mentioned "that guy (1RHD) will be a stop gap waiting for Reinbacher". In that scenario, we need a quality player who can handle the minutes of being Hutson's partner, playing a premium position (1RHD) but can only offer a shorter-term contract, because we don't want to block Reinbacher. Not an easy task.

The player that comes to mind for 1RHD is Ekblad. Won't be a short-term contract, but could handle 1RHD minutes, and could get pushed down to 2RHD when Reinbacher is ready.

 

[Sorinth]

So what's the plan with him next season? 3rd line wing?

Will obviously depend on what trades/signings happen over the summer but as of now I would think the plan is 3C.

It's basically a coin flip as to whether he will be good or not next season. He was terrible last year, but quite good the year before and it's anyone's guess as to which version we will see next year. In his favour is that his success from two years ago came while playing with Gallagher, so as 3C he'll get that connection again and hopefully there's some real chemistry. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Newhook is a player who really needs a grindy player alongside him to do the board/net front work he's not.

Now in case he craps the bed again, we do have options. Evans is more then capable of handling 3C minutes, so Newhook can be pushed down to the 4th line, and Kapanen/Beck are also options that can probably handle a 4C role. It's also worth noting he took some good steps defensively during last season, and has always been a hard worker, so he's probably not going to hurt us in a bottom six role, especially if moved to wing.

 

[dcyhabs]

I like your D pairings, and hear what you're saying. The challenge is, like you mentioned "that guy (1RHD) will be a stop gap waiting for Reinbacher". In that scenario, we need a quality player who can handle the minutes of being Hutson's partner, playing a premium position (1RHD) but can only off a shorter-term contract, because we don't want to block Reinbacher. Not an easy task.

The player that comes to mind for 1RHD is Ekblad. Won't be a short-term contract, but could handle 1RHD minutes, and could get pushed down to 2RHD when Reinbacher is ready.

Block Reinbacher as long as you can trade the blockers.

 

[malcb33]

Block Reinbacher as long as you can trade the blockers.

I guess that would depend on the contract you have to give the blocker to come here...

 

[Ezpz]

I like your D pairings, and hear what you're saying. The challenge is, like you mentioned "that guy (1RHD) will be a stop gap waiting for Reinbacher". In that scenario, we need a quality player who can handle the minutes of being Hutson's partner, playing a premium position (1RHD) but can only off a shorter-term contract, because we don't want to block Reinbacher. Not an easy task.

The player that comes to mind for 1RHD is Ekblad. Won't be a short-term contract, but could handle 1RHD minutes, and could get pushed down to 2RHD when Reinbacher is ready.

Ekblad can't skate as a #1 D anymore. He needed steroids and a month off to even play as well as he has these playoffs. To be honest him even being allowed back this season is a pretty insane thing that has led to a Florida cup.

 

[malcb33]

Ekblad can't skate as a #1 D anymore. He needed steroids and a month off to even play as well as he has these playoffs. To be honest him even being allowed back this season is a pretty insane thing that has led to a Florida cup.

Sure, IMO we're not winning a cup with Ekblad as a 1RHD, we need Reinbacher to take that load eventually. That puts Ekblad on the second pair for the long term, which I think he can handle.

I'm certainly not saying Hughes should back up the Brinks truck for Ekblad, but I think it would be a smart addition depending on his contract demands. He would certainly help solidify the D-core