The General Manager of the Canadiens, Kent Hughes, had repeatedly mentioned that if an opportunity arose, he would seriously consider the possibility of making another trade to improve the Canadiens' lineup.
Kent Hughes finally kept his word by acquiring 22-year-old forward Alex Newhook a few hours before the draft. Once again, the Canadiens did not pay an exorbitant price to acquire a highly promising forward, sending a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and Gianni Fairbrother to the Colorado Avalanche.
While fans of the Canadiens were ecstatic following the Kirby Dach trade, reactions were more mixed when the Alex Newhook transaction was announced. However, as mentioned by Eric Engels of Sportsnet, the statistics of the St. John's-born center surpass those of Kirby Dach prior to his acquisition. Newhook, in particular, signed a less lucrative contract than number 77.
This statement demonstrates how acquiring Alex Newhook represents a very interesting gamble for the Canadiens. It would not be surprising if this trade turns out to be a big win for the organization. Moreover, at just $2.9 million per year, the newcomer could become a true bargain in the NHL.
