We were expecting better news this morning at the practice facility, but the Alex Newhook situation is starting to become concerning for fans.
The speedy forward skated on his own.
We can agree that seeing him grimace after every acceleration does not bode well for a quick return to the lineup. Even though he is capable of building speed, Newhook is taking unusually long breaks between repetitions, a sign that he is not yet comfortable.
Martin St-Louis will not be able to count on him Wednesday for the next matchup at the Bell Centre. With a 32-17-8 record this season, the Montreal Canadiens cannot afford to insert a player who is not operating at 100 percent of his abilities.
We know that the Canadiens could use Newhook on their third line when he is ready.
This morning, the conclusion is clear: the rehabilitation process is not progressing as smoothly as the organization had initially hoped.
“Solo session for Newhook this morning.
He grimaces a lot when he skates and takes a long time before moving on to the next drills.
He still looks very far from a return to play, even though he’s able to generate speed in his movements.”
– Marc-Olivier Cook
He was seen skating hard, but the efficiency simply is not there yet for the 25-year-old from Newfoundland. Recall that Newhook totaled 6 goals and 6 assists in 17 games before going down with the injury.
It is clear that managing his injury is becoming a major issue for the team’s offensive depth in February. The medical staff will need to exercise extra caution to avoid a setback that could prematurely end his season.
A delayed return for the CH
We know the Canadiens have plenty of depth, but losing a player like him for an extended period forces difficult decisions.
Kent Hughes is certainly evaluating his options, as the Laval Rocket may have to provide reinforcements sooner than expected if the Habs suffer additional injuries.
Finally, the hope is that he can return to action quickly, as Martin St-Louis will certainly need him heading into the playoffs.
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Canadiens forward’s return in doubt after concerning solo skate in Brossard
Do you think the Montreal Canadiens should place Alex Newhook on long-term injured reserve?