Alex Newhook believes he can be a top-six forward for the Canadiens

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It will be an amazing spring for Alex Newhook, the first of his career to be on the sidelines when the playoffs begin on April 20.

But when the Canadian forward returns home to St. John's, NL, he'll be safe in the knowledge that he learned about himself in his first season in Montreal under head coach Martin St. Louis.

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“I think I knew I could be better than where I was the last couple of years,” Newhook said Tuesday morning. “I think I've made a jump in my game this year. I personally am satisfied with the situation this year.”

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Newhook, 23, has 13 goals and 31 points in 51 games, including an assist in Tuesday's 9-3 loss against Philadelphia. Newhook, who was acquired in a trade from Colorado last season, had 30 points in 82 games for the Avalanche last season, playing on a more talented team than he joined.

Four games remain in the regular season starting Thursday night against the New York Islanders (7:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM), Newhook has a chance to surpass his 2021-22 career mark of 33 points in 71 games as a rookie. With one more goal, he will equal his total from last season. His stats would have been much higher had he not suffered a sprained ankle in late November that sidelined him until early February and forced him to miss 27 games.

Newhook could be a top-six power forward for a team that continues to rebuild and figures to miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

“I knew what the opportunity was going to be coming here, where they wanted me to be,” said Newhook, who was selected in the first round (16th overall) out of Colorado in 2019. . More than anything, I wanted to prove that I could be a player in this league.”

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Signed to a four-year, $11.6 million contract on July 11, Newhook has played with a variety of teammates. If management sees him as a left tackle, Newhook has been forced to move to center following injuries to Kirby Dach and Christian Dvorak — the latter of whom returned on Dec. 30 against the Flyers after tearing his pectoral muscle.

Of late, Newhook has been central alongside Brendan Gallagher and Joel Armia. Gallagher scored twice against Philadelphia, and Army scored his 17th career goal. Newhook has received much of the credit for Army's resurgence and also plays on the Canadiens' best playmaking block.

“They invested in me being here,” Newhook said. “They threw me into a role that they thought I could do. I can help this team. It was perfect. I feel like I want to help this team get over the hill.

The Avalanche reached the playoffs in each of Newhook's three seasons and won the Stanley Cup in 2022. But Newhook was overshadowed by other Colorado players on a talented roster. He plays an important role in Montreal.

“We've had some really good teams that I've been a part of,” he admitted. “With these types of teams, it's just a matter of finding a place to be in the lineup; find a place to land. There was a time when I was going in and out of the ranks. As a young man, entering those good teams, I wanted to be a part of it; to find ways to assert myself in the line. Things are definitely different here. I'm committed to making the most of the situation and being a part of it moving forward.”

At 5-foot-11 and 199 pounds, Newhook's game is built around pace and speed. Newhook is difficult to defend at its best.

“He's playing a big role right now,” St. Louis said last week. “He's getting some good minutes and he's playing really well. We don't know what his ceiling is; he is still very young. But what we've seen this year in terms of progression … and his impact … he uses his speed very well. This is very encouraging.

“He's a key part of the young men we're trying to build together.”

St. Louis canceled a scheduled Wednesday morning practice before the team flew to New York and their final road trip this season. The Canadiens are in Ottawa on Saturday, Detroit on Monday, before finishing the season at home against the Red Wings the next night.

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