Confirmed with Link: Avs Sign Alex Newhook to ELC

[Perratrooper]

Kerfoot popped in 19 as a rookie in a mostly 3C role... nobody thought of him as a 2C.

If Kerfoot had a shot similar to Newhook’s I think there would be a conversation around him being a low end 2C. I think right now Newhook has top 6 potential. I think with the right linemates he can be a fine 2C, but I think he could be a good to great winger.

If the plans is to run him as 2C next year, there’s chance he fills in Kadri’s PP1 spot and that could allow him to produce quite well.

 

[Tweaky]

Bednar has had him on the PK a bit before the break for the ASG. Kadri has also been on the PK for the FO ability (when he doesn't get mysteriously tossed for being Nazem Kadri), and he's done some good things there.

I have seen Kadri, and it makes sense. I missed seeing Newhook out there, but I am glad he is being tried there.

 

[Alienblood]

*lots don’t want to agree

Why would they if they don't ...well..agree ?

 

[Pokecheque]

So it's possible he might be better on the wing than at center. Still looks like a very good player either way.

It's kind of an Avs tradition for some of these young Avs stars to be better on the wing, Drury, Duchene, and (I think) Tanguay were all drafted as centers, but worked much better when they were moved to the side.

 

[Foppa2118]

Forgot to post this the other day. Love seeing Newhook battle like this with Mangiapane. Bodes well for him in the playoffs.

Glad the refs didn't call the cross checks either and just let them battle in the 3rd period of a close game.

 

[Richard88]

Lol, bumping a thread with a green "confirmed with link" title

 

[Cake Malar]

Lol, bumping a thread with a green "confirmed with link" title

I nearly pooped my pants

 

[Foppa2118]

Lol, bumping a thread with a green "confirmed with link" title

Shit sorry. Didn't notice.

 

[niwotsblessing]

Forgot to post this the other day. Love seeing Newhook battle like this with Mangiapane. Bodes well for him in the playoffs.

Glad the refs didn't call the cross checks either and just let them battle in the 3rd period of a close game.

The next time someone tries that with Newhook, Manson will rip their head off and toss it into the crowd.

 

[Foppa2118]

The next time someone tries that with Newhook, Manson will rip their head off and toss it into the crowd.

Looked for a second like Newy might do that himself.

Wouldn't have minded Manson going after Anderson in that game though. Was salty all game, and I'm pretty sure that sore loser bitch picked up the puck at the end of the game and went into the dressing room with it, so Kuemper couldn't have it for the shutout.

He picked up the puck behind the net and then Compher circled back towards Kuemper to celebrate the win, after skating all the way from the D zone to O zone for the puck after the game ended.

 

[redacted]

This thread is an interesting read.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

This thread is an interesting read.

I know my views on Newhook since he was drafted have, um, evolved?

My takes today are decidedly less hopeful than the cautious optimism I initially held.

 

[redacted]

I know my views on Newhook since he was drafted have, um, evolved?

My takes today are decidedly less hopeful than the cautious optimism I initially held.

As they should... I think it was Keynes that said, "When the facts change, I change my mind." Over time as more information comes in, we should be allowed to change our views. That quote gets misattributed all the time and may not even be Keynes in the end, but the premise is true.

I can say I certainly haven't changed my views though on Newhook's skating despite being told I was wrong over and over.

 

[Pokecheque]

As they should... I think it was Keynes that said, "When the facts change, I change my mind." Over time as more information comes in, we should be allowed to change our views. That quote gets misattributed all the time and may not even be Keynes in the end, but the premise is true.

I can say I certainly haven't changed my views though on Newhook's skating despite being told I was wrong over and over.

It was economist Paul Samuelson who said that, and what's funny is he thought he was quoting Keynes, he was actually paraphrasing himself from eight years earlier. The basic gist was indeed originally presented by John Maynard Keynes, but nowhere near as succinctly.

Anyone who thinks at this point that Newhook is a good-to-great skater doesn't know what good skating entails. Top speed is not that big a deal, ANY player not named Tomas Holmstrom can get going pretty fast if he has enough runway. Tyler Toffoli is a rotten skater but I swear he leads the league in breakaways.

Newhook only looks fast when he's basically allowed to go end-to-end, then he's a rocket. But when trying to start from a stationary position he doesn't get much of a burst. His edgework is also a little suspect, especially when he gets deked out so easily when he's trying to forecheck.

 

[redacted]

It was economist Paul Samuelson who said that, and what's funny is he thought he was quoting Keynes, he was actually paraphrasing himself from eight years earlier. The basic gist was indeed originally presented by John Maynard Keynes, but nowhere near as succinctly.

Anyone who thinks at this point that Newhook is a good-to-great skater doesn't know what good skating entails. Top speed is not that big a deal, ANY player not named Tomas Holmstrom can get going pretty fast if he has enough runway. Tyler Toffoli is a rotten skater but I swear he leads the league in breakaways.

Newhook only looks fast when he's basically allowed to go end-to-end, then he's a rocket. But when trying to start from a stationary position he doesn't get much of a burst. His edgework is also a little suspect, especially when he gets deked out so easily when he's trying to forecheck.

I clearly agree with this. IMO this stems from this whole idea of technically sound and pretty looking equates to good or great skating. He has a well refined stride. It isn't without some flaws, but overall I see a kid who has likely been taking power skating since he was 13 or 14 and worked really hard to ensure that his technique is very good. He just doesn't have the natural athletic ability to be as explosive as he needs to be... and sadly for all of us who were not blessed with great genes, it can't really be overcome.

There is a camp in scouting where if the technique is great, a great skater can be then developed with off the ice training. To me, the Avs clearly fall in this group. The 'great' skaters they talk about in their post draft conferences are the guys who have great technique and they feel they can build upon that to have great skaters. I personally don't fall in that camp, but it also isn't without some merit.

 

[Pokecheque]

I clearly agree with this. IMO this stems from this whole idea of technically sound and pretty looking equates to good or great skating. He has a well refined stride. It isn't without some flaws, but overall I see a kid who has likely been taking power skating since he was 13 or 14 and worked really hard to ensure that his technique is very good. He just doesn't have the natural athletic ability to be as explosive as he needs to be... and sadly for all of us who were not blessed with great genes, it can't really be overcome.

There is a camp in scouting where if the technique is great, a great skater can be then developed with off the ice training. To me, the Avs clearly fall in this group. The 'great' skaters they talk about in their post draft conferences are the guys who have great technique and they feel they can build upon that to have great skaters. I personally don't fall in that camp, but it also isn't without some merit.

I wish I could find the tweet but it was basically someone saying Jason Robertson always looks like he's about to tip over when he skates and somehow still burns guys on the regular. It's an ugly AF stride but it works for him.

I thought I read somewhere that Paul Stastny also worked like hell on his skating and while he was always on the slow side I believe he raised it enough to be an effective player in the NHL.

 

[redacted]

I wish I could find the tweet but it was basically someone saying Jason Robertson always looks like he's about to tip over when he skates and somehow still burns guys on the regular. It's an ugly AF stride but it works for him.

I thought I read somewhere that Paul Stastny also worked like hell on his skating and while he was always on the slow side I believe he raised it enough to be an effective player in the NHL.

I recall having a post where I broke down Jason Robertson's skating in his draft year. Who knows if it survived the transitions here, but the gist was... the guy can move around the ice just fine early in his shifts. He's got size and it looks terrible... but more of the issue is he can't sustain a whole shift. If you can clean up to get that, you have a player (I didn't envision this much, but he looked like a clear 30+g guy).

Yeah Walnuts was super inefficient to where he'd just tire way out at the end of games and any shift over 40 seconds. He got rid of his heel kick and lengthened his stride. That allowed him to just burn less to stay at a decent pace.

 

[ANewHope]

I can say I certainly haven't changed my views though on Newhook's skating despite being told I was wrong over and over.

Not sure if I said you were wrong but I'm sure I disagreed. Honestly I still do. Newhook at practice is flying around. Newhook at lower levels is flying around. When he's able to read the play and things are simple he can fly in the NHL. You just see it like once every two weeks and usually when the opposing team has a big breakdown and Newhook has the puck on his stick.

IMO Newhook's issue and what's made me change my stance on him is his hockey IQ. The NHL is simply to fast for him and it doesn't look like he'll be able to catch up. The issue isn't his skating but the fact that he can't utilize it because he's a step or two behind the play constantly. Basically the opposite of guys like ROR/Tavares/Bergeron/Staz etc. who all play much faster regardless of there skating because of how smart they are. Newhook is at his best when he's constantly moving yet he can't do that in the NHL most of the time because he's lost out there.

To me Newhook is basically the reverse Jost. Jost was a much smarter player but had zero tools. Newhook has the tools but has no idea how to use them. Whenever he does showcase his potential it's always when things are simplified for him. If you could combine the two you'd have a really solid top 6 player.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Not sure if I said you were wrong but I'm sure I disagreed. Honestly I still do. Newhook at practice is flying around. Newhook at lower levels is flying around. When he's able to read the play and things are simple he can fly in the NHL. You just see it like once every two weeks and usually when the opposing team has a big breakdown and Newhook has the puck on his stick.

IMO Newhook's issue and what's made me change my stance on him is his hockey IQ. The NHL is simply to fast for him and it doesn't look like he'll be able to catch up. The issue isn't his skating but the fact that he can't utilize it because he's a step or two behind the play constantly. Basically the opposite of guys like ROR/Tavares/Bergeron/Staz etc. who all play much faster regardless of there skating because of how smart they are. Newhook is at his best when he's constantly moving yet he can't do that in the NHL most of the time because he's lost out there.

To me Newhook is basically the reverse Jost. Jost was a much smarter player but had zero tools. Newhook has the tools but has no idea how to use them. Whenever he does showcase his potential it's always when things are simplified for him. If you could combine the two you'd have a really solid top 6 player.

Flying around and speed is only a portion of skating. And the burst and edge work are very meh with Newhook.

 

[ANewHope]

Flying around and speed is only a portion of skating. And the burst and edge work are very meh with Newhook.

I don't think those things are elite .. but they aren't what's holding him back IMO. What's holding him back is he is just a step or two behind every other play. Whenever the game gets simplified for him he looks decent for a small stretch.

Everyone talks about skating/shooting etc. and the obvious stuff but if a player has no idea how to utilize it .. doesn't really matter. It reminds me of certain players who aren't the best skaters and people being concerned about them in our system if they are smart enough they'll be fine. Maybe not current ROR but ROR of a few years ago wasn't a good skater at all but he would have been fine here because he's able to play faster due to his hockey IQ.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I don't think those things are elite .. but they aren't what's holding him back IMO. What's holding him back is he is just a step or two behind every other play. Whenever the game gets simplified for him he looks decent for a small stretch.

Everyone talks about skating/shooting etc. and the obvious stuff but if a player has no idea how to utilize it .. doesn't really matter. It reminds me of certain players who aren't the best skaters and people being concerned about them in our system if they are smart enough they'll be fine. Maybe not current ROR but ROR of a few years ago wasn't a good skater at all but he would have been fine here because he's able to play faster due to his hockey IQ.

I think IQ is part of it, but so many times he gets the puck into O-zone than tries to go wide or make a play around the boards and he doesn’t have the edge work to make the play. Or he’ll try to make a move and can’t do it because his burst isn’t good enough to successfully beat the man. His skating isn’t bad at all. But it’s not in any way a plus attribute the way it was in juniors.

 

[redacted]

Not sure if I said you were wrong but I'm sure I disagreed. Honestly I still do. Newhook at practice is flying around. Newhook at lower levels is flying around. When he's able to read the play and things are simple he can fly in the NHL. You just see it like once every two weeks and usually when the opposing team has a big breakdown and Newhook has the puck on his stick.

IMO Newhook's issue and what's made me change my stance on him is his hockey IQ. The NHL is simply to fast for him and it doesn't look like he'll be able to catch up. The issue isn't his skating but the fact that he can't utilize it because he's a step or two behind the play constantly. Basically the opposite of guys like ROR/Tavares/Bergeron/Staz etc. who all play much faster regardless of there skating because of how smart they are. Newhook is at his best when he's constantly moving yet he can't do that in the NHL most of the time because he's lost out there.

To me Newhook is basically the reverse Jost. Jost was a much smarter player but had zero tools. Newhook has the tools but has no idea how to use them. Whenever he does showcase his potential it's always when things are simplified for him. If you could combine the two you'd have a really solid top 6 player.

Newhook's biggest issue is he isn't a good enough skater to play a complete game and get to the areas he needs. It really isn't IQ based. I don't think he's incredibly smart, but he's never that far off. Like you said a step or two behind that simply comes from him having zero burst. At this point, he knows it too... so he gets sticky in areas and gives himself a safety net for the gaps. It isn't that he is Pat Maroon out there, it is he just can't create any space for himself with his skating or close on players. He doesn't have to frame to use physicality to get it either. And his hands are just pretty average by NHL standards. His game coming through the ranks was so focused on skating that he doesn't have a counter when he's not the best on the ice.

I get that people don't view skating the same way I do, but I don't see how people watch Newhook and think he's a great skater. Average to above average... maybe flashes of good, but never sustained. That simply isn't good enough when you're 5'10" and trying to be an impact center. I've said this for years (prior to his drafting) and I think it is clear as day. I said it about Jost too with similar reactions.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Newhook's biggest issue is he isn't a good enough skater to play a complete game and get to the areas he needs. It really isn't IQ based. I don't think he's incredibly smart, but he's never that far off. Like you said a step or two behind that simply comes from him having zero burst. At this point, he knows it too... so he gets sticky in areas and gives himself a safety net for the gaps. It isn't that he is Pat Maroon out there, it is he just can't create any space for himself with his skating or close on players. He doesn't have to frame to use physicality to get it either. And his hands are just pretty average by NHL standards. His game coming through the ranks was so focused on skating that he doesn't have a counter when he's not the best on the ice.

I get that people don't view skating the same way I do, but I don't see how people watch Newhook and think he's a great skater. Average to above average... maybe flashes of good, but never sustained. That simply isn't good enough when you're 5'10" and trying to be an impact center. I've said this for years (prior to his drafting) and I think it is clear as day. I said it about Jost too with similar reactions.

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[ANewHope]

Newhook's biggest issue is he isn't a good enough skater to play a complete game and get to the areas he needs. It really isn't IQ based. I don't think he's incredibly smart, but he's never that far off. Like you said a step or two behind that simply comes from him having zero burst. At this point, he knows it too... so he gets sticky in areas and gives himself a safety net for the gaps. It isn't that he is Pat Maroon out there, it is he just can't create any space for himself with his skating or close on players. He doesn't have to frame to use physicality to get it either. And his hands are just pretty average by NHL standards. His game coming through the ranks was so focused on skating that he doesn't have a counter when he's not the best on the ice.

I get that people don't view skating the same way I do, but I don't see how people watch Newhook and think he's a great skater. Average to above average... maybe flashes of good, but never sustained. That simply isn't good enough when you're 5'10" and trying to be an impact center. I've said this for years (prior to his drafting) and I think it is clear as day. I said it about Jost too with similar reactions.

Newhook is always puck watching to me. Standing still. Whenever he keeps his feet moving he looks much better but it seems like he always gets caught flat footed because he has no idea what to do. He'll put himself out of position as well. When the Avs are able to simplify things for him he looks much better. When the puck is on his stick and he doesn't have to think or do anything difficult with it his skating looks fine to me.

Great is subjective. I don't think he's elite or anything and it's disappointing given what I read pre NHL but I think he's basically a poor man's Duchene in terms of skating ability. If Duchene was elite, Newhook is above average. I think if Newhook was an average/below average skater he wouldn't even be in the NHL right now honestly. Even when he's on the wing vs C .. he looks better with less responsibility but he still looks lost at times because the NHL is too fast for him. He's not a bad enough skater that he should be a step or two behind and standing still constantly.

 

[Alex Jones]

when I see Newhook I see a guy that need three steps to fly. With Mackinnon it's one step and he's gone. With Makar same thing. Newhook needs to get his legs pumping to outskate players. I'm guessing the Avs move on this summer.