Player Discussion Alex Newhook

[WeThreeKings]

What Slafkovsky threads

The first thing I do these days - if a prospect has been drafted in rounds 1-2, ignore the thread once all the videos/scouting reports etc. have expired.

Because then it just becomes a pissing ground of clinical depression and projection. Not to mention rewrites of someone's personal preference based on who is successful.

We've got a lot of elite scouts on this forum, using the power of hindsight and pretending they wanted any prospect who is successful, they've never got a pick wrong.

 

[Supersonic]

The first thing I do these days - if a prospect has been drafted in rounds 1-2, ignore the thread once all the videos/scouting reports etc. have expired.

Because then it just becomes a pissing ground of clinical depression and projection. Not to mention rewrites of someone's personal preference based on who is successful.

We've got a lot of elite scouts on this forum, using the power of hindsight and pretending they wanted any prospect who is successful, they've never got a pick wrong.

I get it, we’re all here posting during the middle of summer…because we are hardcore hockey fans

But to come on here daily and just incessantly complain…like dude…maybe go outside and forget this stuff for a few months. I feel like I can feel people’s blood pressure through their posts lol

On to Newhook, I think he hits 50 pts this year with PP time in the bumper spot and playing with Dach in the top 6.

 

[SlafySZN]

 

[Adam Michaels]

I'm re-upping his Player Discussion thread because the Confirmed with Link thread keeps f***ing with my head every time I come on this site thinking it's a new trade or signing.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'm re-upping his Player Discussion thread because the Confirmed with Link thread keeps f***ing with my head every time I come on this site thinking it's a new trade or signing.

Or is it because it's a confirmed with link thread that you didn't start?!?!

 

[Adam Michaels]

Or is it because it's a confirmed with link thread that you didn't start?!?!

I'm pushing for that thread to be locked so I can start a new Newhook signed for 4 years Confimed with Link thread so I can finally get a good night's sleep. I've been suffering from insomnia since the signing.

 

[Habs Halifax]

View attachment 741333


I'm pushing for that thread to be locked so I can start a new Newhook signed for 4 years Confimed with Link thread so I can finally get a good night's sleep. I've been suffering from insomnia since the signing.

Time to hook onto a new Newhook thread. Funny?

 

[Rapala]

From the athletic

Habs intend to use Newhook speed on the wing. May even try him with Suzuki and caufield to use his experience at centre to help them defensively.

Think he was not used well as was coached to dump in frequently and not use speed.

This is exactly where I see him to start. I'm not sure why anyone would opt for Anderson who we've already seen multiple times and found to be lacking in that role. I'd go to Monahan next before Anderson. One thing about playing with Suzuki is if you can find open ice he will find you.

 

[Adam Michaels]

This is exactly where I see him to start. I'm not sure why anyone would opt for Anderson who we've already seen multiple times and found to be lacking in that role. I'd go to Monahan next before Anderson. One thing about playing with Suzuki is if you can find open ice he will find you.

Stability is good thing, but I like the fact that they can try different guys at different spots. Newhook could be on the top line with Nick and Cole. He can also go next to Dach. Anderson could also start next to Dach, but be put on a line with Nick and Cole at times. We know Dach on the wing with Nick and Cole worked. Newhook could be put at center at some point for a time. Monahan can be a center, but he can also be on the wing in the Top-6.

There are a lot of options available to MSL depending on the situation.

 

[Scriptor]

Stability is good thing, but I like the fact that they can try different guys at different spots. Newhook could be on the top line with Nick and Cole. He can also go next to Dach. Anderson could also start next to Dach, but be put on a line with Nick and Cole at times. We know Dach on the wing with Nick and Cole worked. Newhook could be put at center at some point for a time. Monahan can be a center, but he can also be on the wing in the Top-6.

There are a lot of options available to MSL depending on the situation.

I think MSL will need togo with stability if he expects his ponies to take a step forward. Maybe that happens after some fiddling around at the start of the season, but, at some point, he needs to give his Cs steady wingers, barring injuries.

It will all depend on a few things:

How attached are the Habs to playing Newhook on the top-6 (where he'd have to play wing)?

How attached are the Habs to playing Dach at C at all cost all season long (why not wing again)?

Will a prospect shine at camp and force the team's hand to play in Montreal (Heineman, Roy)?

There are plenty of options, but the better ones are Dach and Monahan for the other wing when it comes to the Suzuki-Caufield duo.

That works in line with insisting on developing Dach at C from the get-go if Monahan play wing on the first line and Newhook slides down to be the third line's C. Shared TOI between the 2nd and 3rd line can keep the promise to give Newhook a better opportunity in Montreal.Playing with good wingers can also help:

Caufield - Suzuki - Monahan (Best option without Dach at RW)
Slafkovsky - Dach - Anderson (size, size and size - 6'3", 6'4", 6'3")
RHP - Newhook - Heineman (Show us what you can do, kid line)
Armia - Dvorak -Gallagher (Veteran 4th line)

 

[HuGort]

Hughes must liked Newhook. Have up a first and early 2nd in good draft for him.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I’m just kind of surprised that with the shrewdness of Hughes’ moves so far, that people aren’t more excited over this one.

Monster NCAA stats and he’s only 22.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I’m just kind of surprised that with the shrewdness of Hughes’ moves so far, that people aren’t more excited over this one.

Monster NCAA stats and he’s only 22.

They're mad we traded picks and passed on Michkov.

Give it a bit, people were furious we traded for Dach instead of drafting Nazar.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

They're mad we traded picks and passed on Michkov.

Give it a bit, people were furious we traded for Dach instead of drafting Nazar.

Oh for sure but I just can’t believe HuGo hasn’t been given the benefit of the doubt yet.

MB for the most part did pretty good with trades. But even if you just took MB’s top 5-7 moves over his whole tenure, HuGo might have MB beat with their top moves.
And it’s only been little over a year. Still need a bit of time on some but many have been homers right off the hop.

They’ve done exceptional work regardless of who you’re comparing them to.

 

[badfish]

I’m just kind of surprised that with the shrewdness of Hughes’ moves so far, that people aren’t more excited over this one.

Monster NCAA stats and he’s only 22.

I like the move. I think the MO here is to look for value in players that have less than 200 games in the NHL. Dach had 152 games played before coming to Habs and produced at 0.38 PPG. Newhook has 159 GP before coming to Habs and produced at a 0.42 PPG. Dach saw a production jump last season... willing to bet Newhook does too.

 

[KevSkillz4]

They're mad we traded picks and passed on Michkov.

Give it a bit, people were furious we traded for Dach instead of drafting Nazar.

Seriously Nazar looks very good young player, but Kirby Dach in 2022 draft should go in top 3 easily in term of talent. Dach got drafted #3 in a better draft. What a trade by Habs. Dach show so far why Hawks selected him at 3 and he is going to be a 1st line player without a doubt!

 

[HuGort]

I’m just kind of surprised that with the shrewdness of Hughes’ moves so far, that people aren’t more excited over this one.

Monster NCAA stats and he’s only 22.

I rewatched his draft, they were saying Newhook fastest skater in draft. Brian Burke going crazy over him. As an 18 and 19 year old, Newhook went onto average 1.2 ppg at Boston College. Then over a ppg in the AHL. He has quite the pedigree

 

[Scriptor]

I rewatched his draft, they were saying Newhook fastest skater in draft. Brian Burke going crazy over him. As an 18 and 19 year old, Newhook went onto average 1.2 ppg at Boston College. Then over a ppg in the AHL. He has quite the pedigree

Bust with good priors?

 

[KevSkillz4]

I’m just kind of surprised that with the shrewdness of Hughes’ moves so far, that people aren’t more excited over this one.

Monster NCAA stats and he’s only 22.

Agree people need to be more excited about this one. In 2019 draft, Newhook have been ranked top 10-15 all of the year and he is on my wishlisht for Habs at 15 (I have no idea that Caufield should be available at 15, he is on my top 8 in Mock Draft and top 5 in my prospect ranking). So it's between Krebs and Newhook that I wanted for the pick at 15 knowing the fact that Caufield will go in top 10.

Newhook is a very speedy player, great skating ability, he have great shot to become a legit regular 20-25 goalscorer with Habs and he have great passing ability aswell. Great hands and he is a very good two-way player aswell... this guy can easily become a solid top 6 with Habs. Habs have Dach, Caufield and Newhook who all comes from in a very very good draft (2019).

They all have same age and they will grow together for many years to come.

I'm very happy with this trade and I think he will surprise people!!

 

[HuGort]

Agree people need to be more excited about this one. In 2019 draft, Newhook have been ranked top 10-15 all of the year and he is on my wishlisht for Habs at 15 (I have no idea that Caufield should be available at 15, he is on my top 8 in Mock Draft and top 5 in my prospect ranking). So it's between Krebs and Newhook that I wanted for the pick at 15 knowing the fact that Caufield will go in top 10.

Newhook is a very speedy player, great skating ability, he have great shot to become a legit regular 20-25 goalscorer with Habs and he have great passing ability aswell. Great hands and he is a very good two-way player aswell... this guy can easily become a solid top 6 with Habs. Habs have Dach, Caufield and Newhook who all comes from in a very very good draft (2019).

They all have same age and they will grow together for many years to come.

I'm very happy with this trade and I think he will surprise people!!

Only thing worries me is Colorado fans say he dropped the ball when injuries gave him chance to play top 6 minutes last season. Many said bad about Dach also in Chicago. I don't know

 

[Tyson]

Only thing worries me is Colorado fans say he dropped the ball when injuries gave him chance to play top 6 minutes last season. Many said bad about Dach also in Chicago. I don't know

That is a good point, he should have taken bigger steps last season but I guess everyone develops at differently speeds.

 

[Rapala]

Stability is good thing, but I like the fact that they can try different guys at different spots. Newhook could be on the top line with Nick and Cole. He can also go next to Dach. Anderson could also start next to Dach, but be put on a line with Nick and Cole at times. We know Dach on the wing with Nick and Cole worked. Newhook could be put at center at some point for a time. Monahan can be a center, but he can also be on the wing in the Top-6.

There are a lot of options available to MSL depending on the situation.

Stability is a good thing.

Personally I felt we weren't getting near enough production from that top line with Anderson on it. Was I spoiled with Dach? Probably but it proved a valuable point. We need more than a Josh Anderson on our top line if we hope to compete in this league. I would much rather use Newhook who analytics tells us is top 75 player speed wise and top 25 player speed and puck carrying wise in the entire league while also being in the top third for forechecking. Does anyone doubt he is a better overall puck handler than Anderson? He may not win as many board battles but he'll certainly do more with the puck on his stick. This is the one area that keeps Anderson from star status his inability to do much of anything positive with the puck on his stick other than shoot.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Only thing worries me is Colorado fans say he dropped the ball when injuries gave him chance to play top 6 minutes last season. Many said bad about Dach also in Chicago. I don't know

Exactly some people in CHI say the same thing with Dach. But like Chicago fans, some AVS fans said that Newhook have still huge potential and he can produce very well with Habs. Possibility to become good top 6 with Habs is certainly there!

 

[malcb33]

Only thing worries me is Colorado fans say he dropped the ball when injuries gave him chance to play top 6 minutes last season. Many said bad about Dach also in Chicago. I don't know

While this is true, the context of it is also important. He came into a top team that is looking to compete for the cup. They had a 2c hole and were hoping Newhook could jump right into that hole. That's a lot to ask of him and any mistakes were magnified, and he was often dropped down the line-up playing with grinders, which is not his game. He was then on a short leash when given the opportunity to play up the lineup when injuries occurred, and playing safe, instead of using his skill. Ultimately, Colorado sold high on Newhook and managed to pick up some good young draft capital.

Newhook needs consistent playing time with skilled linemates and a learning environment to hone his skillset at the NHL level. The good news is that Montreal can offer him all of those things that Colorado couldn't, and it's up to him to put in the work and make the best of his opportunity.

Is he a perfect player, nope. Does he have high-end skills, speed, and is young enough to learn and grow with this group, most definitely!

 

[Tyson]

While this is true, the context of it is also important. He came into a top team that is looking to compete for the cup. They had a 2c hole and were hoping Newhook could jump right into that hole. That's a lot to ask of him and any mistakes were magnified, and he was often dropped down the line-up playing with grinders, which is not his game. He was then on a short leash when given the opportunity to play up the lineup when injuries occurred, and playing safe, instead of using his skill. Ultimately, Colorado sold high on Newhook and managed to pick up some good young draft capital.

Newhook needs consistent playing time with skilled linemates and a learning environment to hone his skillset at the NHL level. The good news is that Montreal can offer him all of those things that Colorado couldn't, and it's up to him to put in the work and make the best of his opportunity.

Is he a perfect player, nope. Does he have high-end skills, speed, and is young enough to learn and grow with this group, most definitely!

Nice post! I keep asking myself why Colorado would jettison an extremely skilled, young player like this so early.