Player Discussion Alex Newhook

[montreal]

Well of course you can’t know where players will end up. But you can project. Which is what this board is about

and that's what people do but it's clear the Habs for many many years have failed at drafting, developing and hiring coaches. Now we have a new group so it will take a couple years to see the job they are doing, could be great or more of the same shit we have seen.

 

[CAUFIELD]

How did he look today ?

 

[The Great Weal]

How did he look today ?

Excellent. BLAZING fast, had a couple of good chances, and that shot is still wicked.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

and that's what people do but it's clear the Habs for many many years have failed at drafting, developing and hiring coaches. Now we have a new group so it will take a couple years to see the job they are doing, could be great or more of the same shit we have seen.

Price was the first top five pick in 25 years. For so long we didn’t seem to really invest in the draft. For a while it looked like we had some good drafting and development happening. That all went to shit when the MB regime came in.

The new regime has shown me enough to be optimistic. MSL has done a wonderful job developing our prospects and 2022 could be a transformative draft. Yes, we’ll have to wait and see. But I’ve seen enough to believe in them. I think it’s going to be infinitely better than the previous era.

 

[montreal]

Price was the first top five pick in 25 years. For so long we didn’t seem to really invest in the draft. For a while it looked like we had some good drafting and development happening. That all went to shit when the MB regime came in.

The new regime has shown me enough to be optimistic. MSL has done a wonderful job developing our prospects and 2022 could be a transformative draft. Yes, we’ll have to wait and see. But I’ve seen enough to believe in them. I think it’s going to be infinitely better than the previous era.

I'm not a fan of how they are doing some of these calls ups, all I ask is that they leave these 20 year olds in the AHL until they show they have improved on their weaknesses enough to warrant a call up. I'm happy that they didn't rush Reinbacher though watching him play I can see why as putting him in the NHL at 19 would have been another in a long line of mistakes with development.

I'm not a fan of their plan or approach either, to me once you figure out you have a problem and you fire the GM then Molson should have stepped down as he lead us into this mess. Then your GM gets to burn it to the ground if that's his plan. I just wish they had gotten rid of several more people so now I don't know what to think as clearly this organization for many many years has just flat out failed because they just make too many mistakes.

So now we wait on Slaf, Reinbacher, Hutson, Mailloux, Engstrom, Roy, etc.. to go with Dach and Newhook, joining Guhle, Caufield, Suzuki. This could be the start of building a contender or not and then what. Problem is you often need 5 years after the draft and really 10 to know how it turned out so I don't envy Molson if things don't pick up in 2-3 years.

If you look back from the '08 to '15 draft, that's 8 years and all they have to show for that much time is Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Leks as the only ones to put up at least 100 pts in the NHL. If you add the '16 and '17 drafts it's safe to say you are just adding Sergachev though Poehling could hit 100 pts some day as he's at 53 and seems to have found a home for now.

Things start getting interesting in 2018, I don't know what's up with KK but I still believe he can be a 50+ pt player so we'll see what next year or two bring. Romanov as well could look much better in 2-3 years. I was never a big Ylonen fan but I do think he has NHL skills but I don't know if he will make it or be back in the Euro leagues in 2-3 years. Harris I haven't been too impressed with this year, very disappointing that he appears to have taken a step back but it's clear for whatever reason some kids just struggle in their 2nd full season. I fully expect him to bounce back and be a full time NHLer but how good is still tough to say as he's got the IQ and poise but clearly not the size, strength.

Having 6 top 71 picks cleared helped but did something else change for the Habs drafts at this time that would change what they clearly have struggled to do since the 2007 draft, only time will tell but I don't blame anyone for doubting them or being hopeful that this time they have gotten it right for a change.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I'm not a fan of how they are doing some of these calls ups, all I ask is that they leave these 20 year olds in the AHL until they show they have improved on their weaknesses enough to warrant a call up. I'm happy that they didn't rush Reinbacher though watching him play I can see why as putting him in the NHL at 19 would have been another in a long line of mistakes with development.

I'm not a fan of their plan or approach either, to me once you figure out you have a problem and you fire the GM then Molson should have stepped down as he lead us into this mess. Then your GM gets to burn it to the ground if that's his plan. I just wish they had gotten rid of several more people so now I don't know what to think as clearly this organization for many many years has just flat out failed because they just make too many mistakes.

So now we wait on Slaf, Reinbacher, Hutson, Mailloux, Engstrom, Roy, etc.. to go with Dach and Newhook, joining Guhle, Caufield, Suzuki. This could be the start of building a contender or not and then what. Problem is you often need 5 years after the draft and really 10 to know how it turned out so I don't envy Molson if things don't pick up in 2-3 years.

If you look back from the '08 to '15 draft, that's 8 years and all they have to show for that much time is Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Leks as the only ones to put up at least 100 pts in the NHL. If you add the '16 and '17 drafts it's safe to say you are just adding Sergachev though Poehling could hit 100 pts some day as he's at 53 and seems to have found a home for now.

Things start getting interesting in 2018, I don't know what's up with KK but I still believe he can be a 50+ pt player so we'll see what next year or two bring. Romanov as well could look much better in 2-3 years. I was never a big Ylonen fan but I do think he has NHL skills but I don't know if he will make it or be back in the Euro leagues in 2-3 years. Harris I haven't been too impressed with this year, very disappointing that he appears to have taken a step back but it's clear for whatever reason some kids just struggle in their 2nd full season. I fully expect him to bounce back and be a full time NHLer but how good is still tough to say as he's got the IQ and poise but clearly not the size, strength.

Having 6 top 71 picks cleared helped but did something else change for the Habs drafts at this time that would change what they clearly have struggled to do since the 2007 draft, only time will tell but I don't blame anyone for doubting them or being hopeful that this time they have gotten it right for a change.

The good news is we see a lot less of the calling up. Roy, I guess they feel is ready. Slaf they felt was ready… but by and large they’re way more patient than in the past.

And I totally get people who don’t trust mgmt but they should remember this regime is not the same as the old one. Totally different approach, a true commitment to rebuilding and getting picks. Development is better too.

Yes, we have to wait and see. But I like what I’ve seen so far. Overall, prospects are developing in the minors and doing well. There’s a lot more patience and for those playing on the team too.

I feel good about where we’re going.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The good news is we see a lot less of the calling up. Roy, I guess they feel is ready. Slaf they felt was ready… but by and large they’re way more patient than in the past.

And I totally get people who don’t trust mgmt but they should remember this regime is not the same as the old one. Totally different approach, a true commitment to rebuilding and getting picks. Development is better too.

Yes, we have to wait and see. But I like what I’ve seen so far. Overall, prospects are developing in the minors and doing well. There’s a lot more patience and for those playing on the team too.

I feel good about where we’re going.

I also think they have avoided calling up some players as long as they could.. the injuries piled up at the NHL and AHL level again, and at a certain point there's nothing you can do but call up Joshua Roy. We could argue that they could have recalled Andersson or Condotta again, but I think after Roy was playing well when they sent him down the first time, it is kind of owed to give him another chance.

He also was one of the few bright spots against the Blues last night, so I don't think it was the previous mistake of the MB regime when they'd get bounced up and down and see 3 minutes on the 4th line only.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I also think they have avoided calling up some players as long as they could.. the injuries piled up at the NHL and AHL level again, and at a certain point there's nothing you can do but call up Joshua Roy. We could argue that they could have recalled Andersson or Condotta again, but I think after Roy was playing well when they sent him down the first time, it is kind of owed to give him another chance.

He also was one of the few bright spots against the Blues last night, so I don't think it was the previous mistake of the MB regime when they'd get bounced up and down and see 3 minutes on the 4th line only.

Under the old regime Roy would’ve been called up a year or two earlier and played limited minutes on the 4th line.

 

[montreal]

The good news is we see a lot less of the calling up. Roy, I guess they feel is ready. Slaf they felt was ready… but by and large they’re way more patient than in the past.

And I totally get people who don’t trust mgmt but they should remember this regime is not the same as the old one. Totally different approach, a true commitment to rebuilding and getting picks. Development is better too.

Yes, we have to wait and see. But I like what I’ve seen so far. Overall, prospects are developing in the minors and doing well. There’s a lot more patience and for those playing on the team too.

I feel good about where we’re going.

Xhekaj, Guhle, direct from CHL to NHL, Roy in the NHL at 20, Slaf at 18 and was a disaster, Harris directly to the NHL, at least Struble got 21 games in the AHL first. Heineman called up after just getting back from the concussion.

So that doesn't seem much of a different approach then MB. And it's a new GM with many of the same scouts (though losing Matt Turek could hurt) as he had to be the one behind the Florian Xhekaj pick.

Then there's the whole thing with how they are handling Primeau which is a bit odd though I'm not really too concerned cause I just don't believe in Primeau's NHL upside any more but I never understood why he didn't just send Allen down as who cares if we lost him to waivers though he's good for the tank now so I'm glad they kept him.

I can't say I'm a fan of how they handled Slaf, I don't know what they are doing with Xhekaj but at the same time I haven't seen much of him in the NHL to figure out why they sent him down in the first place. I don't get their plan for Ylonen either as more focus should be on putting the youth in the best position though I know it's tough as Hughes knows he needs to move out some vets so you have to play them too.

These could be just minor things in the end as it could work out very differently for Hughes then it did for MB but for a GM that talks about the need for improved development I'm not sure we are really seeing that though Slaf has taken off and Caufield clearly excelled under MSL so there's hope for sure as I have been saying that I do believe in Hughes, Gorton and MSL but none of us know what's going to happen so we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Xhekaj, Guhle, direct from CHL to NHL, Roy in the NHL at 20, Slaf at 18 and was a disaster, Harris directly to the NHL, at least Struble got 21 games in the AHL first. Heineman called up after just getting back from the concussion.

So that doesn't seem much of a different approach then MB. And it's a new GM with many of the same scouts (though losing Matt Turek could hurt) as he had to be the one behind the Florian Xhekaj pick.

Then there's the whole thing with how they are handling Primeau which is a bit odd though I'm not really too concerned cause I just don't believe in Primeau's NHL upside any more but I never understood why he didn't just send Allen down as who cares if we lost him to waivers though he's good for the tank now so I'm glad they kept him.

I can't say I'm a fan of how they handled Slaf, I don't know what they are doing with Xhekaj but at the same time I haven't seen much of him in the NHL to figure out why they sent him down in the first place. I don't get their plan for Ylonen either as more focus should be on putting the youth in the best position though I know it's tough as Hughes knows he needs to move out some vets so you have to play them too.

These could be just minor things in the end as it could work out very differently for Hughes then it did for MB but for a GM that talks about the need for improved development I'm not sure we are really seeing that though Slaf has taken off and Caufield clearly excelled under MSL so there's hope for sure as I have been saying that I do believe in Hughes, Gorton and MSL but none of us know what's going to happen so we'll just have to wait and see.

I agree that Slaf was probably up too early. But the big difference between the old regime and the new one is that they were at least smart enough to adjust and put Slaf on the first line. We know from experience that the old regime was not smart enough to do that. That wouldn’t have happened before.

Roy I think would be up next year anyway. Riddled with injuries and we’ve called him up. I don’t have too big an issue with that. They’ve given him a few years in the minors and at 20 I’d say he’s probably pretty close to ready anyways.

RB, Hutson. Mesar, Engstrom… they’re all developing outside the NHL.

You can always call out some mistakes as they’ll happen in any regime. You mentioned Harris and X. Okay, but Guehle has done nothing but impress. 30 points in his first 82 and he’s played really well.

Most importantly though is that I see progression in our prospects. Cc, Roy, Guhle, Slaf, Hutson… they’ve all done really well in their respective leagues. We just didn’t see that before.

 

[LaP]

I agree that Slaf was probably up too early. But the big difference between the old regime and the new one is that they were at least smart enough to adjust and put Slaf on the first line. We know from experience that the old regime was not smart enough to do that.

Roy I think would be up next year anyway. Riddled with injuries and we’ve called him up. I don’t have too big an issue with that. They’ve given him a few years in the minors and at 20 I’d say he’s probably pretty close to ready anyways.

RB, Hutson. Mesar, Engstrom… they’re all developing outside the NHL.

You can always call out some mistakes as they’ll happen in any regime. You mentioned Harjit and X. Okay, but Guehle has done nothing but impress. 30 points in his first 82 and he’s played really well.

Most importantly though is that I see progression in our prospects. Cc, Roy, Guhle, Slaf, Hutson… they’ve all done really well in their respective leagues. We just didn’t see that before.

They are also smart enough to not throw him under the bus. The old management used AG on the first line here and there but every time he was downranked without much explanations after just a few games (not long enough to expect anyone to make any progress). MT did more harm in his press conference than he did as a coach on the ice and during the game in my opinion.

What's important with young players is to work with them instead of sitting them on the bench or pointing fingers at them and then waiting for them to figure it out by themselves. Crosby did not stay at Mario's house for some time for no reason. Pretty sure Mario wanted to keep an eye on him and teach him the intricacies of being a pro athlete. It's okay to scratch a young player or sit him or even criticize him but you can't just leave it at that or else the kid will learn nothing from it.

I mean it's like punishing your kids and then not taking the time to explain to them why you did it and what they should do instead and not giving them the tools to change that behavior. I mean if you punish your kid because he's violent maybe sit down with him and try to understand why he does that and dunno sub him to a martial art program where they teach both the martial art and good behavioral to adopt or something.

I feel like the previous management was just waiting for the kids to figure it out by themselves (MB said such in an interview once) and were doing very minimal development at the NHL level and even AHL level i'd argue, Outside of Gallagher i don't think a single kid looked more professional after spending some time in the AHL under MB and Gallagher played only 36 games there during the lock out. They all looked totally lost after spending time in the AHL.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

They are also smart enough to not throw him under the bus. The old management used AG on the first line here and there but every time he was downranked without much explanations after just a few games (not long enough to expect anyone to make any progress). MT did more harm in his press conference than he did as a coach on the ice and during the game in my opinion.

What's important with young players is to work with them instead of sitting them on the bench or pointing fingers at them and then waiting for them to figure it out by themselves. Crosby did not stay at Mario's house for some time for no reason. Pretty sure Mario wanted to keep an eye on him and teach him the intricacies of being a pro athlete. It's okay to scratch a young player or sit him or even criticize him but you can't just leave it at that or else the kid will learn nothing from it.

I mean it's like punishing your kids and then not taking the time to explain to them why you did it and what they should do instead and not giving them the tools to change that behavior. I mean if you punish your kid because he's violent maybe sit down with him and try to understand why he does that and dunno sub him to a martial art program where they teach both the martial art and good behavioral to adopt or something.

I feel like the previous management was just waiting for the kids to figure it out by themselves (MB said such in an interview once) and were doing very minimal development at the NHL level and even AHL level i'd argue, Outside of Gallagher i don't think a single kid looked more professional after spending some time in the AHL under MB and Gallagher played only 36 games there during the lock out. They all looked totally lost after spending time in the AHL.

Exactly. Well said.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Xhekaj, Guhle, direct from CHL to NHL, Roy in the NHL at 20, Slaf at 18 and was a disaster, Harris directly to the NHL, at least Struble got 21 games in the AHL first. Heineman called up after just getting back from the concussion.

So that doesn't seem much of a different approach then MB. And it's a new GM with many of the same scouts (though losing Matt Turek could hurt) as he had to be the one behind the Florian Xhekaj pick.

Then there's the whole thing with how they are handling Primeau which is a bit odd though I'm not really too concerned cause I just don't believe in Primeau's NHL upside any more but I never understood why he didn't just send Allen down as who cares if we lost him to waivers though he's good for the tank now so I'm glad they kept him.

I can't say I'm a fan of how they handled Slaf, I don't know what they are doing with Xhekaj but at the same time I haven't seen much of him in the NHL to figure out why they sent him down in the first place. I don't get their plan for Ylonen either as more focus should be on putting the youth in the best position though I know it's tough as Hughes knows he needs to move out some vets so you have to play them too.

These could be just minor things in the end as it could work out very differently for Hughes then it did for MB but for a GM that talks about the need for improved development I'm not sure we are really seeing that though Slaf has taken off and Caufield clearly excelled under MSL so there's hope for sure as I have been saying that I do believe in Hughes, Gorton and MSL but none of us know what's going to happen so we'll just have to wait and see.

I'd probably make a distinction between drafting and development. And generally speaking I've liked the drafting of the Habs under Hughes more than Bergevin, but we wont be able to accurately judge that yet since Slafkovsky is the only one who has turned pro yet.

I'd also challenge the view of going straight to the NHL as being, or even going back and forth as being detrimental, just looking at other teams around the league. Its a problem when development isn't a focus at the NHL level for an organization, and while that was the case for most of Bergevin's tenure, its not really the case in Montreal. That's the biggest difference between the Bergevin and Hughes eras. Yeah, the NHL isn't a development league, but that doesn't mean development doesn't happen. And you can see both the development and growth (both in eye test and the data) in guys like Guhle, Slafkovsky and Xhekaj, among others.

Montreal is actually investing in skill development and data collection and analysis. They're working with guys both in the NHL and AHL to address issues. And apart from specific edge cases, Montreal has been playing young guys and letting them make mistakes.

 

[LaP]

I'd probably make a distinction between drafting and development. And generally speaking I've liked the drafting of the Habs under Hughes more than Bergevin, but we wont be able to accurately judge that yet since Slafkovsky is the only one who has turned pro yet.

I'd also challenge the view of going straight to the NHL as being, or even going back and forth as being detrimental, just looking at other teams around the league. Its a problem when development isn't a focus at the NHL level for an organization, and while that was the case for most of Bergevin's tenure, its not really the case in Montreal. That's the biggest difference between the Bergevin and Hughes eras. Yeah, the NHL isn't a development league, but that doesn't mean development doesn't happen. And you can see both the development and growth (both in eye test and the data) in guys like Guhle, Slafkovsky and Xhekaj, among others.

Montreal is actually investing in skill development and data collection and analysis. They're working with guys both in the NHL and AHL to address issues. And apart from specific edge cases, Montreal has been playing young guys and letting them make mistakes.

Going back and forth is not detrimental or else the 90ies Wings would not have won anything. They were doing a lot of back and forth with their skilled prospects.

 

[montreal]

I'd probably make a distinction between drafting and development. And generally speaking I've liked the drafting of the Habs under Hughes more than Bergevin, but we wont be able to accurately judge that yet since Slafkovsky is the only one who has turned pro yet.

I'd also challenge the view of going straight to the NHL as being, or even going back and forth as being detrimental, just looking at other teams around the league. Its a problem when development isn't a focus at the NHL level for an organization, and while that was the case for most of Bergevin's tenure, its not really the case in Montreal. That's the biggest difference between the Bergevin and Hughes eras. Yeah, the NHL isn't a development league, but that doesn't mean development doesn't happen. And you can see both the development and growth (both in eye test and the data) in guys like Guhle, Slafkovsky and Xhekaj, among others.

Montreal is actually investing in skill development and data collection and analysis. They're working with guys both in the NHL and AHL to address issues. And apart from specific edge cases, Montreal has been playing young guys and letting them make mistakes.

I always said that I felt the issue was more at the development side and coaching as I hated the choices they made but have said I believe in MSL since he's not MT, Julien and that alone has to be better for our prospects.

I also like that they are hiring people to help with shooting, skating, etc.. never understood why this wasn't a priority under previous GM's. Hopefully it pans out as the results for Slaf seem to show it's working.

As for letting them make mistakes it seems like that only applies to some as Xhekaj would likely disagree and Ylonen in the last 40 games he's played he's been over 13 mins just 3 times. Maybe he's just not any good but that doesn't make sense to me, why not play the shit out of him and see what happens it's not like this team is any good.

 

[montreal]

Going back and forth is not detrimental or else the 90ies Wings would not have won anything. They were doing a lot of back and forth with their skilled prospects.

I would have to see that but I also wouldn't compare them as they were in 2 different eras of hockey.

One things for sure, the Habs have had TERRIBLE luck with yo-yoing prospects, just about every time it's blown up in their face and there's no way that's just a coincidence.

 

[1909]

I would have to see that but I also wouldn't compare them as they were in 2 different eras of hockey.

One things for sure, the Habs have had TERRIBLE luck with yo-yoing prospects, just about every time it's blown up in their face and there's no way that's just a coincidence.

Yeah. Different generations. Kids nowadays are small princes and princesses. AS soon as you say no to them of give them a little punishment, they just pout and lose confidence. Not much backbone.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I would have to see that but I also wouldn't compare them as they were in 2 different eras of hockey.

One things for sure, the Habs have had TERRIBLE luck with yo-yoing prospects, just about every time it's blown up in their face and there's no way that's just a coincidence.

They wee going to have no success when the NHL coach and the AHL coach couldn't develop a cold. No prospect was going to succeed unless they were needed absolutely no help.

 

[montreal]

Yeah. Different generations. Kids nowadays are small princes and princesses. AS soon as you say no to them of give them a little punishment, they just pout and lose confidence. Not much backbone.

I've listen to Guy Boucher talk about this topic in the past and found it very interesting, he talked about how things have changed in juniors and you can't coach the way you used and that was over 10 years back when he just got to Hamilton.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Yeah. Different generations. Kids nowadays are small princes and princesses. AS soon as you say no to them of give them a little punishment, they just pout and lose confidence. Not much backbone.

Some are and the GM's job is to figure that out and not draft them.

 

[LaP]

I would have to see that but I also wouldn't compare them as they were in 2 different eras of hockey.

One things for sure, the Habs have had TERRIBLE luck with yo-yoing prospects, just about every time it's blown up in their face and there's no way that's just a coincidence.

I posted this many times in the past :

Keith Primeau : 6 AHL/58NHL games first season and 42 AHL/35NHL games 2nd season
Mike Sillinger : 3 NHL games first season, 64 AHL games 2nd season and 51/15 AHL games 3rd season.
Slava Kozlov : 45 AHL/17NHL games first season and 3 AHL/77NHL games 2nd season
Jason York : 2 NHL games first season and 7 NHL games 2nd season
Lapointe : 8 AHL games, 28 AHL/50NHL games, 39NHL/39AHL games
Kronwall : 25 AHL, whole AHL season, 1 AHL
Hudler : 57AHL/12NHL, whole AHL, 76AHL/4NHL
Filppula : 74AHL/4NHL, 3AHL/73NHL
Helm : 67/7, 55/16,
Ericsson : whole AHL, 69/8, 40/19
Fischer : 52/7, 55/18

Of course the best players went straight to NHL without going to the AHL but some of the guys listed here were pretty good players. They tried to give a few games to their prospects every season when possible.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I would have to see that but I also wouldn't compare them as they were in 2 different eras of hockey.

One things for sure, the Habs have had TERRIBLE luck with yo-yoing prospects, just about every time it's blown up in their face and there's no way that's just a coincidence.

It’s more than just the yo-yo’ing though. It’s that we bring a guy up and play him in limited minutes and then bench him if he makes a mistake. We saw that happen so often under MT.

 

[26Mats]

Xhekaj, Guhle, direct from CHL to NHL, Roy in the NHL at 20, Slaf at 18 and was a disaster, Harris directly to the NHL, at least Struble got 21 games in the AHL first. Heineman called up after just getting back from the concussion.

So that doesn't seem much of a different approach then MB. And it's a new GM with many of the same scouts (though losing Matt Turek could hurt) as he had to be the one behind the Florian Xhekaj pick.

Then there's the whole thing with how they are handling Primeau which is a bit odd though I'm not really too concerned cause I just don't believe in Primeau's NHL upside any more but I never understood why he didn't just send Allen down as who cares if we lost him to waivers though he's good for the tank now so I'm glad they kept him.

I can't say I'm a fan of how they handled Slaf, I don't know what they are doing with Xhekaj but at the same time I haven't seen much of him in the NHL to figure out why they sent him down in the first place. I don't get their plan for Ylonen either as more focus should be on putting the youth in the best position though I know it's tough as Hughes knows he needs to move out some vets so you have to play them too.

These could be just minor things in the end as it could work out very differently for Hughes then it did for MB but for a GM that talks about the need for improved development I'm not sure we are really seeing that though Slaf has taken off and Caufield clearly excelled under MSL so there's hope for sure as I have been saying that I do believe in Hughes, Gorton and MSL but none of us know what's going to happen so we'll just have to wait and see.

I'm not a fan of the current rotation of Harris, Xhekaj, and Kovacevic. I think all should be playing every day.

As it stands now, heading into next year, we have 8 dmen.
Matheson - Guhle
Struble - Savard
Xhekaj - Barron
Harris - Kovacevic

I'd trade at least one, but preferably 2 so they are all playing every night when healthy. I suppose we could keep 7 and send Xhekaj down to Laval when all 7 are healthy. He'll be the only one next year who is waiver exempt.

 

[sampollock]

still trying to see what Newhook can bring. young yet.. but is a scorer or what?

 

[26Mats]

still trying to see what Newhook can bring. young yet.. but is a scorer or what?

well he's not a center. So we won't see what he can bring when he's forced to play center.

I have a feeling we'll see his best offensive game next year when he's on Dach's wing. Yes, he can score, his primary offensive attribute. But he can also make plays with his linemates.