The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Alex Newhook to a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $2.9 million.
One of the top RFAs is officially off the board.
The Montreal Canadiens locked in a key young piece on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with forward Alex Newhook on a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $2.9 million.
Newhook was acquired by the Canadiens on the first night of the 2023 NHL draft on June 27. This new deal ties the 22-year-old to Montreal through the 2026-27 season and ensures he retains his RFA rights upon expiry, making it much easier for the Canadiens to re-sign him at that point if they so choose.
Drafted 16th overall back in 2019, Newhook certainly has potential but never quite lived up to his lofty expectations in Colorado. Outside of being a valuable member of the Avalanche's fourth line during their Stanley Cup run in 2022, Newhook struggled to develop into the top-six center many billed him to be, finishing with 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 82 games this past season.
The Canadiens, though, do not possess the offensive depth that Colorado does and could offer Newhook a far more expansive role, perhaps paving the way for his long-awaited breakout.
For the Canadiens, Newhook represented yet another draft-week trade for a skilled but underperforming forward who has yet to live up to his draft ranking. Almost exactly 12 months ago, Kirby Dach was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in very similar circumstances and proved the Habs right for betting on him by showing flashes of the brilliance he was projected to have.
Now, Newhook enters the fold as a worthwhile bet and will join a young Montreal roster already teeming with talent in Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and 2022 first overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky. And if he fits in with that trio, a $2.9-million annual price tag will look like a bargain.