Brian Wilde is sending a clear message to Martin St-Louis: keep Alex Newhook on the wing.
The analyst said he does not want to see the Montreal Canadiens forward used at center this season, arguing that Newhook is better suited to a second-line role on the outside where he can play to his strengths.
"I certainly don't want to see him at center."
- Brian Wilde
Wilde still sees a productive season ahead for Newhook, but only if St-Louis puts him in the right spot. In his view, that means using the 25-year-old on the wing rather than asking him to handle the center ice responsibilities.
Newhook’s numbers from last season give Wilde’s argument some weight. He finished with 25 points in 42 games during the regular season, then added 10 points in 19 playoff games in a strong postseason run. He also posted a +9 rating in the regular season, a noticeable step up from the struggles he had gone through in Montreal before that.
Originally drafted 16th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2019, Newhook also won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022. Since joining the Canadiens, he has been moved between center and wing depending on lineup needs and injuries.
For Wilde, though, the answer is simple: let Newhook attack from the wing and stop asking him to take on a center’s workload.
"He's not good in the faceoff circle, he's not great when it comes to the responsibilities that come with playing center, and I certainly don't want to see him at center.
He would have less freedom than he does on the wing to use his speed."
- Brian Wilde on the Sick Podcast
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