The Montreal Canadiens may be on their Olympic break right now, but there are still a few storylines that should be followed closely as soon as the break ends a few days before their first game back on Thursday, February 26th, at the Bell Centre against the New York Islanders. One of those storylines that will be followed closely early on is what happens once Alex Newhook returns to the lineup. Since his last game on November 13th, when he went down with a fractured ankle that required surgery, keeping him out of the lineup for 3-4 months, the Habs have added multiple depth pieces at forward to replace his long-term absence, and now with his impending return coming up soon, there are big decisions to be made.<\/p>\n
Alex Newhook montre de nets signes de progression. Son entra\u00eenement \u00e9tait plus convaincant que celui de vendredi dernier.<\/p>\n
L\u2019attaquant a pass\u00e9 plus d\u2019une heure sur la patinoire aujourd\u2019hui. Son coup de patin \u00e9tait plus assur\u00e9, ses virages brusques plus intenses, et les pauses\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/R7VHTViagB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) February 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n While Newhook has been out of the lineup for nearly 45 games since breaking his ankle, his overall skill and speed will be an asset as soon as he\u2019s healthy enough to return to action. For that to happen, someone who has been a main fixture in the Habd lineup almost all season will need to take a seat. With that being said, who will Newhook take out of the lineup?<\/p>\n Based on how things have gone with the Habs throughout the season thus far, there are two options: Brendan Gallagher and Zack Bolduc. The first player in Gallagher would be a part-time solution, as it seems that with the veteran getting older, he can\u2019t handle as many games as he once could. With that being said, if everyone is healthy when Newhook gets back to full strength, it could be a good idea to replace Gallagher\u2019s veteran presence and experience with Newhook\u2019s speed if they are playing a faster team.<\/p>\n What will the return of Alex Newhook look like for the Canadiens roster?<\/p>\n Full Episode: https:\/\/t.co\/ke1ASObGku<\/a><\/p>\n Join @mndamico<\/a> and @shaunstarr78<\/a> on the Starr and D\u2019Amico show daily for new episodes! \ud83d\udd25 #gohabsgo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/uWH9sRxcUv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Starr & D’Amico Show (@StarrandDamico) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Swapping in for Gallagher could also be a good idea for Newhook to ease his way back into the lineup as the Habs enter the final stretch of the season. As fast of a player as Newhook is, it will certainly take time for him to catch up to the speed of the game after missing all this time. Playing every few games for the first couple weeks will allow the Habs speedster to adjust and not get exposed too quickly when he gets back into the lineup.<\/p>\n While replacing Gallagher every 2nd game can work for a week or two, there will come a time where he will need to replace someone permanently. The truth is the Canadiens can really use Gallagher\u2019s veteran presence in the most important games, as he always knows what to do to help get his team into the fight during the rough patches.<\/p>\n C’est bon \u00e0 savoir!<\/p>\n Depuis hier soir, ce n’est plus une possibilit\u00e9 pour le #CH<\/a> d’envoyer Zachary Bolduc \u00e0 Laval lorsque Patrik Laine et\/ou Alex Newhook effectueront leur retour au jeu.<\/p>\n Mais je ne crois pas que la direction envisageait cette option-l\u00e0.<\/p>\n Bolduc a beau produire\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/GopkfWKzWr<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) February 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n This is why there should be pressure on Bolduc to be able to find some sort of consistency in his game. While just before the break, Bolduc had shown chemistry with Kirby Dach and Jake Evans, it wouldn\u2019t last long, as Dach would be brought up to play with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield due to an injury to Alex Texier for the last three games before the break. As a result, it broke up all the chemistry that Bolduc had with Evans prior, and he went back to struggling without Dach.<\/p>\n Given that Bolduc can\u2019t sustain chemistry with anyone this season as well as consistency in his own game, he could be an option to make a healthy scratch once the team is back at full strength. The rest of the lineup seems to be gelling well, which leads to Bolduc playing on whatever line needs a body to fill up the lineup right now.<\/p>\n The only way you trade him is to get a secured upgrade over what we have in the lineup right now. Or don\u2019t and put him in for Bolduc and play him on PP2. If he struggles at 5v5 and he doesn\u2019t get enough PP time, sit him out.<\/p>\n \u2014 Daniel \ud83d\udc1f\ud83d\udc68\ud83c\udffb \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 (@dmanfish90) February 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n This is why Bolduc may be the most realistic option to get replaced by Newhook once he\u2019s back. The team is rolling, which is making it hard to find a spot for Newhook when he gets back, but Bolduc\u2019s inconsistencies are the most logical answer to get him back in the lineup come mid-March.<\/p>\n Who would you take out of the lineup for Newhook once everyone is healthy?<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t