Player Discussion Alex Newhook

Rapala

Registered User
Mar 29, 2013
42,699
39,956
Montreal
1. Your opinion on Cole Caufield is irrelevant.
2. Did i watch him? What kind of stupid question is that? No, i closed my eyes every time he was on the ice...
3. He was given opportunities on the Avs. Was given linemates to work with. He didn't create offense as expected. He turned into a checking winger by the end of the year.

The only thing i agree with is that he should be given top-6 opportunities on the Habs this season. But given his lack of progression in his offensive game, i am not holding my breath of a Dach-like breakout season. He doesn't drive offense and lacks vision. But he is very skilled.

Might top out as a 3rd line winger in my view on the Habs.
Well blow me away. A raw rookie selected 16th overall is supposed to break in on a Stanley Cup Contender and take ownership of a top 6 role out of the gate. They gave him some reps but it didn't take quelle surprise. Totally unreasonable expectation. 13-20-33 is perfectly fine to go a long with a healthy +11
His following season saw him play a bottom 6 role with a responsibility to the Dside of the puck. 14-16-30 His stats were 10th on that team who were once again a cup contender. That he doesn't drive offense and he lacks vision is laughable. Perhaps you should go back and read up on why he was drafted in the first place. The Kid is 22 not 25. Excuse me if I disregard much of what you've written.
 
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NotProkofievian

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Nov 29, 2011
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Newhook really isn't a playdriver, but so what? Pacioretty wasn't a playdriver either. There are all kinds of ways for a player to be good, and being puck dominant is one of them. Projecting one's ideals of what a player ought to be onto players who don't fit them is how teams end up with steals. It's how we got Caufield, it's how Dallas got Robertson, it's how Tampa got Kucherov.

What Newhook can do, he can do at a very high level. We should lean into what his strengths are - namely skating, handling and shooting at speed - rather than trying to turn him into Nick Suzuki.
 
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BehindTheTimes

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Jun 24, 2018
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He's going to make a lot of posters here look foolish next season. He'll be a solid 2nd line winger.
And the ones that said the others will look foolish will disappear when they don’t.

The truth is, no one knows what we got here. I like the idea of taking swings at high upside, young talent, further along in their development. I thought the price was a bit steep on this one. Might work out, might not.
 

Estimated_Prophet

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Mar 28, 2003
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I think Hughes was making a conscious effort to target a player who falls into the age group of our young core who has elite speed and can play in a top six role. The speed of our forward group as a whole is very average and it is important to try and get a burner on each line. Just the threat of Newhook's speed forces the opponent's dmen to play with a larger gap which creates more space through the neutral zone and a higher percentage of successful controlled zone entries.

Looking at the market it is no surprise that Hughes targeted Newhook and had to pay a significant price to acquire him.
 

Rapala

Registered User
Mar 29, 2013
42,699
39,956
Montreal
Newhook really isn't a playdriver, but so what? Pacioretty wasn't a playdriver either. There are all kinds of ways for a player to be good, and being puck dominant is one of them. Projecting one's ideals of what a player ought to be onto players who don't fit them is how teams end up with steals. It's how we got Caufield, it's how Dallas got Robertson, it's how Tampa got Kucherov.

What Newhook can do, he can do at a very high level. We should lean into what his strengths are - namely skating, handling and shooting at speed - rather than trying to turn him into Nick Suzuki.
Playdriver is an oft used misplaced term on this board. For me there a very few veritable play drivers in this league. Hockey is was and always will be a team sport and it takes more than one player to drive play properly. Newhook carries the puck very well at speed is that driving play? Probably not unless he has McDavid like finishing skills.
 
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FrankMTL

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Jan 6, 2005
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And the ones that said the others will look foolish will disappear when they don’t.

The truth is, no one knows what we got here. I like the idea of taking swings at high upside, young talent, further along in their development. I thought the price was a bit steep on this one. Might work out, might not.

I think that's the key here....There's always a risk, but less so because you know the player you traded for can at least play in the NHL which isn't the case with draft picks....especially draft picks at the bottom of the first round/top of the second.

The trade ended up being Alex Newhook for Mikhail Gulyayev and Ethan Gauthier....I know Montreal may not have taken those two players, but in a nut shell, it's that.
 

Adam Michaels

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Jun 12, 2016
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Montreal
Waste of picks for Newhook. He brings nothing to the table and is small. Really hate this trade. What was the point other than a loyalty trade from a former agent?

What did you think of the Dach trade when it happened? Not in hindsight, but at the time it was made.

Dach: 59 pts (19G, 40A) in 153 GP in 3 seasons before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: Romanov + 1st (13th) + 3rd (66th) + 4th (98th).

Newhook: 66 pts (27G, 39A) in 159 GP in 2 seasons + 6 games before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: 1st (31st) + 2nd (37th)


They paid less to get Newhook, who still has had a more productive few years than Dach did at the time of their respective trades.

I also don't know how you consider 192 lbs small. Sure he's under 6-feet, but that doesn't make him small.

And speaking of former clients: the last time Hughes acquired a former client, it turned out in Habs' favor by a lot: Mike Matheson.
 

Junohockeyfan

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Dec 16, 2018
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What did you think of the Dach trade when it happened? Not in hindsight, but at the time it was made.

Dach: 59 pts (19G, 40A) in 153 GP in 3 seasons before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: Romanov + 1st (13th) + 3rd (66th) + 4th (98th).

Newhook: 66 pts (27G, 39A) in 159 GP in 2 seasons + 6 games before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: 1st (31st) + 2nd (37th)


They paid less to get Newhook, who still has had a more productive few years than Dach did at the time of their respective trades.

I also don't know how you consider 192 lbs small. Sure he's under 6-feet, but that doesn't make him small.

And speaking of former clients: the last time Hughes acquired a former client, it turned out in Habs' favor by a lot: Mike Matheson.
I loved the Dach trade at the time. Injuries played a key role in his stalled development. I believed and still do that he can-be a solid 2C. He needs to improve his faceoffs to be more reliable at C but he has all the elements to become a star player and size to boot. Dach even during his Hawks days showed flashes of the potential he is showing now.

I don’t see the same upside in Newhook. He was very underwhelming.
 

Tyson

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Mar 1, 2007
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Texas
What did you think of the Dach trade when it happened? Not in hindsight, but at the time it was made.

Dach: 59 pts (19G, 40A) in 153 GP in 3 seasons before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: Romanov + 1st (13th) + 3rd (66th) + 4th (98th).

Newhook: 66 pts (27G, 39A) in 159 GP in 2 seasons + 6 games before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: 1st (31st) + 2nd (37th)


They paid less to get Newhook, who still has had a more productive few years than Dach did at the time of their respective trades.

I also don't know how you consider 192 lbs small. Sure he's under 6-feet, but that doesn't make him small.

And speaking of former clients: the last time Hughes acquired a former client, it turned out in Habs' favor by a lot: Mike Matheson.
Adam you always lay everything out in a way that makes sense.
 

Adam Michaels

Registered User
Jun 12, 2016
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Montreal
I loved the Dach trade at the time. Injuries played a key role in his stalled development. I believed and still do that he can-be a solid 2C. He needs to improve his faceoffs to be more reliable at C but he has all the elements to become a star player and size to boot. Dach even during his Hawks days showed flashes of the potential he is showing now.

I don’t see the same upside in Newhook. He was very underwhelming.

Dach did have injuries that played a role. But he was a 3rd OA and was considered a bust.

He played often with Kane, Toews and/or DeBrincat and wasn't able to produce or elevate his game to consistency playing with these guys. He averaged over 18 mins a game in his 2 seasons with Chicago prior to the trade.

Newhook, a 16th OA was mostly limited to 3rd line duty and averaging less than 14 mins of ice time and still produced more than Dach did.

Newhook has scored 13 goals and 14 goals, respectively, the last two seasons. Dach had yet to crack 10 goals with Chicago.
 

Whalers Fan

Go Habs!
Sep 24, 2012
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Plymouth, MI
What did you think of the Dach trade when it happened? Not in hindsight, but at the time it was made.

Dach: 59 pts (19G, 40A) in 153 GP in 3 seasons before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: Romanov + 1st (13th) + 3rd (66th) + 4th (98th).

Newhook: 66 pts (27G, 39A) in 159 GP in 2 seasons + 6 games before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: 1st (31st) + 2nd (37th)


They paid less to get Newhook, who still has had a more productive few years than Dach did at the time of their respective trades.

I also don't know how you consider 192 lbs small. Sure he's under 6-feet, but that doesn't make him small.

And speaking of former clients: the last time Hughes acquired a former client, it turned out in Habs' favor by a lot: Mike Matheson.
FYI, Dach was not acquired with both Romanov and a 1st. Romanov was traded for a first, which was flipped for Dach. Otherwise, though, your point is still valid.
 

26Mats

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Jun 23, 2018
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What did you think of the Dach trade when it happened? Not in hindsight, but at the time it was made.

Dach: 59 pts (19G, 40A) in 153 GP in 3 seasons before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: Romanov + 1st (13th) + 3rd (66th) + 4th (98th).

Newhook: 66 pts (27G, 39A) in 159 GP in 2 seasons + 6 games before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: 1st (31st) + 2nd (37th)


They paid less to get Newhook, who still has had a more productive few years than Dach did at the time of their respective trades.

I also don't know how you consider 192 lbs small. Sure he's under 6-feet, but that doesn't make him small.

And speaking of former clients: the last time Hughes acquired a former client, it turned out in Habs' favor by a lot: Mike Matheson.

There are plenty of players that had around 60 points in around 155 games when they started out their careers. Not all of them took it to the next level as Dach did last year in Montreal. Some just weren't capable of doing so. We'll see whether or not Newhook is.

Caufield went from unproductive to on pace for 50 goals with MSL. But Gurianov didn't. DIfferent players, different results from working with MSL and the coaching staff.

I think part of the problem was Dach's situation in Chicago, the coaching and development. I'm not sure the situation was as bad for development in Colorado as it was in Chicago. Though some Avs fans I've noticed have been complaining about how they're developing their young players as they focus on winning now.

At any rate we'll see what happens. I'm not making any predictions on Newhook's production until I see him on the ice. And it took Dach some time to produce. He first needed to play wing with Suzuki and Caufiled. But then he was ready to lead his own line and still produce.
 
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Rapala

Registered User
Mar 29, 2013
42,699
39,956
Montreal
What did you think of the Dach trade when it happened? Not in hindsight, but at the time it was made.

Dach: 59 pts (19G, 40A) in 153 GP in 3 seasons before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: Romanov + 1st (13th) + 3rd (66th) + 4th (98th).

Newhook: 66 pts (27G, 39A) in 159 GP in 2 seasons + 6 games before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: 1st (31st) + 2nd (37th)


They paid less to get Newhook, who still has had a more productive few years than Dach did at the time of their respective trades.

I also don't know how you consider 192 lbs small. Sure he's under 6-feet, but that doesn't make him small.

And speaking of former clients: the last time Hughes acquired a former client, it turned out in Habs' favor by a lot: Mike Matheson.
One of the other huge benefits is man games lost. NONE
 
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Rapala

Registered User
Mar 29, 2013
42,699
39,956
Montreal
There are plenty of players that had around 60 points in around 155 games when they started out their careers. Not all of them took it to the next level as Dach did last year in Montreal. Some just weren't capable of doing so. We'll see whether or not Newhook is.

Caufield went from unproductive to on pace for 50 goals with MSL. But Gurianov didn't. DIfferent players, different results from working with MSL and the coaching staff.

I think part of the problem was Dach's situation in Chicago, the coaching and development. I'm not sure the situation was as bad for development in Colorado as it was in Chicago. Though some Avs fans I've noticed have been complaining about how they're developing their young players as they focus on winning now.

At any rate we'll see what happens. I'm not making any predictions on Newhook's production until I see him on the ice. And it took Dach some time to produce. He first needed to play wing with Suzuki and Caufiled. But then he was ready to lead his own line and still produce.
Everyone talks about Dach taking it to the next level. That has not happened yet. 38 points is not the next level.:skeptic:
What Dach did do was demonstrate he can get to the next level. Now he has to put it all together.
 

Scriptor

Registered User
Jan 1, 2014
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8 years?

Would you risk 4.82M X 8 years, like with Kotkaniemi for Newhook, rather than pay 3.5M for 4 years?

With the rise g Cap, even if Newhook ends up a Thord liner with 2nd line upside in case of injuries and a role on the PP and PK, would he be worth the gamble to lock in a decent Cap hit long term?
 

Scriptor

Registered User
Jan 1, 2014
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Everyone talks about Dach taking it to the next level. That has not happened yet. 38 points is not the next level.:skeptic:
What Dach did do was demonstrate he can get to the next level. Now he has to put it all together.
That's why the 4-year term at its Cap hit is fair for both parties. If Dach brings it up a level to 50+ points this year and really breaks out for the final two years off his contract as a near-PPG player, he will have strong arguments for his next contract.

With the offense rounding out over the next three years as talented prospects earn their wings (pun intended), Dach's production should also increase thanks to the better options on his wings.
 

BaseballCoach

Registered User
Dec 15, 2006
21,272
9,596
8 years?

Would you risk 4.82M X 8 years, like with Kotkaniemi for Newhook, rather than pay 3.5M for 4 years?

With the rise g Cap, even if Newhook ends up a Thord liner with 2nd line upside in case of injuries and a role on the PP and PK, would he be worth the gamble to lock in a decent Cap hit long term?
No reason to commit 8 years to a guy like this. Bridge him and be happy if you have to pay more in a few years because he turns out to be a star that you got for picks 31 and 37.

2 years x $2.500M
3 years x $2.800M
4 years x $3.100M

I stop there so he is still RFA at the end of the contract.
 
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Boss Man Hughes

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Mar 15, 2022
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8 years?

Would you risk 4.82M X 8 years, like with Kotkaniemi for Newhook, rather than pay 3.5M for 4 years?

With the rise g Cap, even if Newhook ends up a Thord liner with 2nd line upside in case of injuries and a role on the PP and PK, would he be worth the gamble to lock in a decent Cap hit long term?
Yes. But I doubt Newhook would.
 

BaseballCoach

Registered User
Dec 15, 2006
21,272
9,596
What did you think of the Dach trade when it happened? Not in hindsight, but at the time it was made.

Dach: 59 pts (19G, 40A) in 153 GP in 3 seasons before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: Romanov + 1st (13th) + 3rd (66th) + 4th (98th).

Newhook: 66 pts (27G, 39A) in 159 GP in 2 seasons + 6 games before Canadiens acquired him.
The cost to acquire him: 1st (31st) + 2nd (37th)


They paid less to get Newhook, who still has had a more productive few years than Dach did at the time of their respective trades.

I also don't know how you consider 192 lbs small. Sure he's under 6-feet, but that doesn't make him small.

And speaking of former clients: the last time Hughes acquired a former client, it turned out in Habs' favor by a lot: Mike Matheson.
Dach always had higher potential than Newhook, and puck possession centers are more valuable too.

Newhook should get something less than Dach got. There is a reason he was acquired cheaper too.
 

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