Evan’s NHL Daily: Newhook Gets Term In Montreal, Kovalenko Interview

While the Colorado Avalanche have not yet signed Ross Colton, who they acquired on NHL draft day, the Montreal Canadiens were able to lock up Alex Newhook on Tuesday. Given the contract he signed, they’re obviously believers in him. He also said something that some fans will agree with, while others may not.

And a new interview with Avalanche prospect Nikolai Kovalenko came out, but he doesn’t exactly commit to if or when he’ll come to North America.

All that and more in this Wednesday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

A new interview with Avalanche prospect Nikolai Kovalenko is out. He talks about the NHL team that drafted him, playing for Igor Larionov, his breakout year, and more.

On Wednesday, we’ll have a new mailbag out, as we got plenty of questions after Chris MacFarland made plenty of changes to the roster over the last few weeks.

Around the NHL

I had mentioned a while back that I heard a long-term deal between the Canadiens and Alex Newhook was close, and on Tuesday, it got done. Montreal gave him a 4-year, $11.6 million contract. Given his history with Kent Hughes, it’s hardly a surprise that they believe in him, and I’m sure he’ll get a bigger role than he would have had in Colorado.

Speaking of that, here’s one thing Newhook had to say to the media on Tuesday…

#Habs Alex Newhook says he has a lot more to give than he's shown in the past with the #GoAvsGo; Newhook says he was frustrated at times in Colorado when he felt he was under-utilized and not given a lot of opportunities.

— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) July 11, 2023

On one hand, I get what he is saying. He got a stretch at the start of last season as the 2C, but it didn’t exactly last long. For a former first round draft pick, you’d think he’d have a little longer leash. On the flip side, he went through long stretches where he was invisible, and nowhere to be found on the scoresheet. It’s hard to earn ice-time like that. A change of scenery for him might not be the worst thing in the world, and I hope he does well in Montreal. He was one of the nicest guys in the locker room last year.

National Hockey Now

Philadelphia: A bizarre moment during a Zoom call, when a Flyers employee is caught criticizing a reporters question during an introductory presser. That forced Keith Jones to step in and apologize for the employee’s actions. You can read about it here.

Detroit: What will the Red Wings pay Mo Seider?

Nashville: The Predators continue their busy offseason, signing forward Denis Gurianov on Tuesday.