Player Discussion Alex Newhook

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Frustrating player

Around the play but completely unproductive

He is that coworker who takes 100 steps to do a 5 step job

 

[Team_Spirit]

Guy catch the flu and suddenly he was traded for two 1st round picks

 

[sampollock]

How sure of that are you?

90% sure

 

[CTHabsfan]

Evans has been way better defensively, better on faceoffs, one of the best on the penalty kill, and has been a big factor in how his line has been dominating consistently with forechecking and o zone possession time.

Newhook has been struggling and making a bad play with the puck seemingly 8/10 times this season and it results in losing puck possession and putting us back on defense. He also played with our two best goal scorers for a good stretch and it took him half a season to register his very first assist. It’s not just about points. We’re crapping on Newhook because he’s overrated. Thankfully he’s not overpaid or he’d be getting crapped on way more. He’s fast and has a decent shot, but we overpaid for him big time, and sadly he’s easier to replace than Evan’s.

Alex Newhook turns 24 in two weeks. Jake Evans had played 13 NHL games on his 24th birthday. People fall in and out of love with players too quickly around here. Evans won't be easy to replace at 3-years and around $3 million AAV, but he should be traded if he's looking for a lot more money and/or term. The Canadiens have played well lately, but the rebuild is about long-term success and winning Cups, not just qualifying for the playoffs.

 

[ReHabs]

There's no reason to think Newhook cannot do what Evans does. However Newhook has to change his game and MSL has to change his utilization.

I'd rather rely on Newhook as a 3C than not sell Evans at the TDL and force a re-sign at an inflated rate. Evans is not special.

 

[Sorinth]

Offensively he's reminding me a bit of Chris Higgins, he's got the speed, a good shot, gets some pretty good chances but just can't seem to capitalize on those chances. Could just be bad luck but his S% isn't actually all that bad which means he'll need to generate more shots.

His future on the Habs is definitely up in the air but so long as you are generating chances which he is then your fortunes can turn around. Lehkonen was another guy who was considered to have "hands of stone" where he'd get these great opportunities but just not score. Obviously Newhook's defensive game isn't comparable, but just in terms of offence we do occasionally see these type of guys eventually figure it out. So no reason to give up on him yet, but his longer term future will probably come down to whether he can round out his 2-way game and find a way to contribute in a lesser role.