Habs Mailbag: Did the Canadiens give up too much for newhook and roof?

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I was in a discussion about rebuilding the Habs and brought up the topic of Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach. Although I’m reasonably happy with the conversion and believe we’ll get there soon, I wonder if we overpaid for Newhook given the production he gave us and therefore Dach. What do you think about this matter?

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Wallis Loewen, St. Laurent

It might seem that way now, but it’s too early to determine whether GM Kent Hughes overpaid for Newhook and Dach.

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Hughes gave the Colorado Avalanche the 31st and 37th overall picks in the 2023 NHL Draft in exchange for Newhook. The Avalanche used the 31st pick to select Russian defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev, who has a record of 2-4-6 in 29 games. Colorado traded the 37th pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for 28-year-old center Ross Colton, who went 17-23-40 overall in 80 games with the Avalanche last season and 8-1 overall in 10 games -9 was in season before breaking his foot in late October. The Lightning used the 37th pick to select right winger Ethan Gauthier, who has posted a combined record of 11-17-28 in 20 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL this season.

Hughes wanted to accelerate the rebuild by acquiring Newhook and Dach, both of whom are now 23 years old and further along in their development than Gulyayev and Gauthier.

After trading for Newhook and then signing him to a four-year, $11.6 million contract, Hughes said: “Can he play on the wing and provide pace in a complementary role in the top six? Can he be a third-line center? Can he be a second-line center? I think these are all things that need to be clarified. But we believe he has the potential to do more.“

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The Canadiens are still trying to figure out where Newhook fits in the lineup, but it looks like his future will be as a winger.

As for Dach, Hughes gave the Chicago Blackhawks a first-round pick (13th overall) and a third-round pick (66th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks used the 13th pick to select center Frank Nazar, who went 17-24-41 in 41 games last season at the University of Michigan and went 8-0 this season with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. Goed 8-16 in 14 games. With the 66th pick, the Blackhawks took left winger Gavin Hayes, who went 37-39-76 in 55 games in the OHL last season between the Flint Firebirds and Soo Greyhounds. Hayes is 2-1-3 overall in 15 games with the IceHogs this season.

Badger’s development suffered a major blow when he suffered a knee injury in the second game last year that required surgery. It’s no surprise that he’s struggled this season after suffering a serious injury and hasn’t played in a game for almost a full year.

We’ll have a better idea if Hughes gave up too much for Newhook and Dach in a few years.

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Heading into the quarter of the season, what grade would you give the Habs for their results so far? And why this note?

Ed Helinski, Auburn, NY

Since management’s goal entering this season was to be “in the middle of the pack” for a playoff spot, the grade for the first quarter of the season must be an F, with the Canadiens in last place (again). Atlantic Division. and 29th in the NHL standings entering the weekend with a record of 8-11-3.

I don’t think the Canadiens are good enough to make the playoffs this season, even with a healthy Patrik Laine in the lineup, and management may now regret being “In the Mix” at the team’s golf tournament in September. font used.

What year do you think the Canadiens will make the playoffs again?

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