Alex Newhook Quietly Silences His Critics in Canadiens Camp

The young forward, who was recently involved in the boarding incident that led to an NHL Player Safety sanction on Ottawa's Hayden Hodgson, has been looking sharp.

In a context where some forwards are underperforming or struggling to stand out, the former first-round pick by Colorado is impressing many.

The 24-year-old forward will probably never be an 80-point scorer, but his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet, and his style fits perfectly with what Martin St-Louis is trying to instill in his locker room.

We often forget that Newhook is only 24 and still developing.

Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports didn't hesitate to highlight this on social media, writing:

I completely agree with Martineau. It reflects the camp he is currently having. He is solid defensively, and above all, more confident with the puck. He seems to have taken an important step in his development.

Of course, he also has one of the best skating strides on the team. I genuinely believe he is the fastest player on the Canadiens. His versatility allows him to stand out somewhat like Joel Armia, but with much more consistency.

I sincerely believe his role could grow quickly this season. Even without producing spectacular statistics, Newhook has all the qualities to become a reliable piece that Martin St-Louis can count on.