Trade Alert: Canadiens acquire Alex Newhook from Avalanche

This just in, the Montreal Canadiens have acquired pending RFA forward Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 1st round pick and a 2nd round pick.

From the Canadiens' official press release announcement:

NASHVILLE - Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced on Tuesday that the team has acquired the rights to forward Alex Newhook in exchange for Montreal's 31st (previously acquired from Florida) and 37th overall picks in 2023 and defenseman Gianni Fairbrother.

Newhook, 22, scored 14 goals and added 16 assists in 82 games with the Avalanche in 2022-23 before adding one assist in seven playoff games.

So far in his career, the St. John's, NL native has tallied 27 goals and 39 assists in 159 contests with the Avalanche, who selected him in the first round (16th overall) in 2019.

The 5-foot-10, 190 lb. centerman helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 with four assists in 12 playoff games.

The 22 year old Newhook is unsigned for the 2023-24 season and will likely command a significant salary raise from the $900,000 he earned annually on his entry-level contract. He should fit in well with the Habs' emerging young core group of forwards given his speed and skill. He's a talented player with the puck with a knack for getting into the dirty areas to score timely goals. Sure, he's just 5'10" and 190 pounds, but he rarely shies away from the physical side of the game. He's a tenacious forecheck and, frankly, he's a coach's dream. Personally, I think he'll be an excellent fit for a Canadiens team that's on the rise.

As for the picks headed to Colorado, they'll now have the 31st and 37th overall picks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in Nashville tomorrow afternoon.