Alex Newhook is making a notable impact this season with the Montreal Canadiens. Despite not getting any power play time, the 24-year-old center has recorded seven points in just ten games. If he maintains this pace over a full 82-game season, he could reach a significant 57 points, a remarkable increase from his prior best of 34 points in a season.
New Line Combinations and Coach St-Louis’ Strategy
Newhook’s improvement is linked to strategic decisions made by head coach Martin St-Louis. During training camp, St-Louis evaluated various line combinations after realizing a pairing of Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, and Ivan Demidov was ineffective. He decided to pair Newhook with Oliver Kapanen and Demidov, which has proven beneficial.
Demidov’s creativity complements Newhook’s style, while Kapanen’s versatility helps share the faceoff responsibilities. This combination has enhanced Newhook’s overall performance on the ice.
Penalty Kill Performance
Newhook’s role extends beyond even-strength play. He is also contributing to the Canadiens’ penalty kill unit. Although he is not perfect in this area, he is learning under challenging circumstances following the offseason departures of key players like David Savard, Joel Armia, and Christian Dvorak.
- Current penalty kill success rate: 75%
- Ranking in league: 18th
- Previous season penalty kill success rate: 80.9% (9th place)
While the current performance is not ideal, it is gradually improving. Newhook’s speed offers potential advantages for the penalty kill, reminiscent of the impact Paul Byron once had with the Canadiens.
The Growth of Alex Newhook
By allowing Newhook to focus on his role alongside talented linemates, St-Louis is facilitating his development into a more complete player. Even if Newhook may not fulfill all expectations following his trade to the Canadiens, he is embracing the coach’s vision. This commitment is evident in his performance and the improvement seen this season.
As the season progresses, monitoring Newhook’s contributions and growth will be crucial for the Canadiens’ ambitions. Fans can keep up with all the latest developments by visiting El-Balad for ongoing coverage of the Montreal Canadiens.
