Numerical disadvantage: Alex Newhook could have a new role with the Habs

Dose
Crédit: Alex Newhook doesn't have what it takes to be a second center in the NHL.

The Canadiens’ penalty kill should be quite different this season. The Habs have lost two penalty-killing specialists with the departure of forwards Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia, not to mention the retirement of defenseman David Savard, who spent a lot of time on the ice short-handed. The team’s penalty kill did well last season with an 80.9% efficiency rating, good for ninth in the NHL.

In an article published on The Sick Podcast, Nick Lariviere believes that the Habs should give Alex Newhook the opportunity to play on the short-handed and make him a specialist, much like Josh Anderson.

[content-ads] In particular, Newhook could use his speed as well as his good reading of the game on defense to become an effective four-on-five player. Assuming the forward doesn’t become a top-six forward in the long term (personally, I don’t think he’s the solution for second center), this could be a logical development for him.

Newhook has a good chance of starting the season at center or wing on the third line and may have to take on more defensive assignments overall, and playing at a disadvantage could help him become a better player in his zone.

The biggest downside to Newhook as a penalty-clearing center is his performance in the face-off circle. For his career, the forward has a 41.8% face-off efficiency, which isn’t ideal at the disadvantage when puck possession becomes particularly important.

However, Newhook is also one of the Canadiens’ few regular left-handed center-forwards (along with Joe Veleno), and since Martin St-Louis likes to choose his center’s laterality depending on the side of the face-off, this could give the forward an advantage in certain situations. In short, I really wouldn’t be surprised to see Newhook in a new role next season. [spacer title=’Overtime’] – We’d like that too!

– Les Jays renouent avec la victoire

– Solid first outing from Shane Bieber

– Niagara returns to final.