Canadiens sign Alex Newhook to four-year extension: Instant reaction, analysis

The Montreal Canadiens are continuing what has turned into a very busy day for them. According to a team announcement, the Canadiens signed forward Alex Newhook to a four-year, $22.2M ($5.55M AAV) extension.

Newhook, 25, began his career with the Colorado Avalanche. He was selected with the 16th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft from the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies, before playing collegiately with the Boston College Eagles.

Beginning in the 2021-22 season, Newhook had already become a full-time player for the Avalanche. With many skilled forwards on the roster, Colorado sheltered Newhook as he began his professional career. He finished the season with 13 goals and 33 points in 71 games with a +11 rating, averaging 13:34 of ice time per game in a third-line role. During the Avalanche’s run to a Stanley Cup championship that spring, Newhook was largely a non-factor, registering four assists in 12 games.

Unfortunately, Newhook didn’t take a step forward the following season as many in Colorado hoped he would. After Nazem Kadri’s departure in the summer, Newhook was suggested as a potential replacement on Colorado’s second line. Disappointingly, he finished his sophomore season with 14 goals and 30 points in 82 games with a net zero rating, averaging 13:57 of ice time per game. He added one assist in seven postseason contests when the Seattle Kraken bounced the Avalanche in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

That would be his final chance with the Avalanche. At the 2023 NHL Draft, Colorado traded Newhook to the Canadiens for a 2023 first-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick and defenseman Gianni Fairbrother. Although things didn’t turn out well with the Avalanche, Newhook has blossomed into a quality piece for the Canadiens.

Embracing his role as a middle-six forward, Newhook has scored 43 goals and 85 points in 179 games with Montreal, averaging 15:32 of ice time per game. He was excellent for them last postseason, given his role with the club, registering seven goals and 10 points in 19 games with a +3 rating.

Factoring in the other extensions signed this summer, Newhook’s isn’t nearly as eye-popping. He’s currently playing out the final season of a four-year, $11.6M contract signed with the Canadiens in 2023. At the time, Newhook’s salary accounted for roughly 3.47% of Montreal’s available salary cap. When his new extension kicks in for the 2026-27 campaign, Newhook’s new $5.5M salary (assuming the salary cap’s Upper Limit reaches $104M) will amount to approximately 5.29%.

In short, the Canadiens’ long-term salary-cap outlook just became stronger. They are one of a handful of remaining teams without a player earning more than $10M on their current contract or any extension. Now, Montreal has Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Zachary Bolduc, Ivan Demidov, Noah Dobson, Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Jakub Dobes and Newhook signed through the end of the decade.