Is Newhook a Second-Line Player?
March 22, 2024
By Grant McCagg
Newhook has ten points in his last 23 games. He has been a top-two center for the last 19. and a regular on the first power play. Good stats for a third liner on the second PP but not good enough for a 2C. Ideally, he plays a third-line role next season, and the club picks up a legitimate second-line player to line up beside Kirby Dach and perhaps Joshua Roy. It would be asking a lot to expect Roy, who will still officially be an NHL rookie if he doesn’t play two more games this season, to be a productive full-time second-liner next season and for Newhook to produce at a second-line pace for the first time in his NHL career. Look for GM Kent Hughes to try to add a proven second-line forward in the offseason. –McCagg.