MONTREAL — Former Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup champion Alex Newhook has cashed in with his second organization, signing a four-year, $22.2 million contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. The deal carries a $5.55 million annual cap hit beginning with the 2027-28 season and keeps Newhook under contract through the 2030-31 season.
Newhook, 25, was drafted 16th overall by Colorado in 2019 and won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 while still trying to establish himself. He spent three seasons in Colorado, where his speed and skill flashed but a bigger role was hard to secure behind established forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog on a win-now roster. Colorado traded him to Montreal on June 27, 2023, receiving a first-round pick, a second-round pick and prospect Gianni Fairbrother in return.
Montreal has provided the expanded opportunity that was scarce in Denver. An ankle injury suffered in November limited Newhook to 42 games this past season, but he still produced 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points. His impact grew in the postseason, where he scored seven goals with three assists in 19 games to help the Canadiens reach the Eastern Conference Final before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.
The extension secures Newhook through his prime as a long-term piece for Montreal. After showing he can handle larger offensive responsibilities and deliver in the playoffs, the Canadiens are betting the former first-round pick has another level still to reach.