Gorton and Hughes right now are looking for the right pieces to add and Gorton says they're being very careful how they select them.
It seems the future top six is set without Newhook:
Caufield Suzuki - Skaf
Laine - Dach - Demidov
Because if Laine or Dach don't pan out, we'll look elsewhere than Newhook to fill their spot.
Then you have Newhook, Hage, Kapanen, Beck, Roy, and Heineman all fighting for a 3rd line spot.
The 4th line shouldn't be difficult to construct out of those players that don't make the 3rd line and external rugged players.
So yeah Newhook isn't a core piece. My hope for him is he'll be an upgrade on Byron for the bottom 6.