The Canadiens’ Alex Newhook is excited about the possibility of having Patrik Laine as a linemate this season.
While nothing will be guaranteed until training camp is over, it certainly looks like Newhook will be playing on the second line with Kirby Dach at centre and Laine on the other wing. That’s if the No. 1 line of Nick Suzuki between Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield remains intact.
Canadiens GM Kent Hughes acquired Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Aug. 19, along with a second-round pick at the 2026 NHL Draft, in exchange for defenceman Jordan Harris.
“Who knows what the line combinations will be come opening day (when the Canadiens play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 9 at the Bell Centre),” Newhook said Monday. “But I think adding Patty to our top six is a huge add. He’s obviously a very proven player in the NHL. He’s scored a lot of goals. He’s amongst the highest level in the league.”
Laine has scored 204 goals in 480 games during his eight seasons in the NHL, including a career-high 44 with the Winnipeg Jets in 2017-18. The 26-year-old was limited to six goals in 18 games last season with the Blue Jackets before suffering a broken left clavicle during a game in mid-December that required surgery. Laine also entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January while dealing with mental-health issues.
“I think he’ll really enjoy being a part of this group,” Newhook said about Laine. “A younger group that’s eager and excited seems like a great place to slot him in. It would be great to play with him, it would be great just to be alongside him here on the team. Exciting, for sure.”
Newhook and defenceman Jayden Struble were at the Bell Centre Monday afternoon when members of the Montreal media got a sneak preview of Episode 1 of The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens. The eight-episode series will stream on Crave, in both English and French, starting Sept. 18.
Newhook is a fan of other behind-the-scenes Netflix sports series like Formula One: Drive to Survive, Full Swing about the PGA Tour and Quarterback, focusing on the NFL. He’s excited about being part of another one now with the Canadiens on Crave.
Canadiens fans are excited about getting their first glimpse of a possible line with Newhook, Dach and Laine when training camp opens next week. When asked what would make him a good fit with the other two, Newhook said: “I think when you just look at the skill sets of all three of us, with my speed and both big guys — Dacher and Laine. Both guys that can make plays. Both guys that can score, protect the puck. A lot of excitement around it, but I don’t want to speak too much on it right now.”
That’s because head coach Martin St. Louis will decide what the lines will be.
What will Newhook tell Laine about St. Louis?
“Nothing but good things,” Newhook said. “We have high standards here and Marty is the lead for that. But he’s fair, he’s honest and I think a lot of guys respect him, obviously, but guys like playing for him. So that’s what I’d relay to him and he can be excited for what’s to come.”
Struble is excited about what’s to come for him this season. Hughes traded Harris to Columbus and Johnathan Kovacevic to the New Jersey Devils this summer in order to open spots for young defencemen like Struble.
“First of all, them leaving sucks,” Struble said about Kovacevic and Harris. “Kovy, great guy, Jordo, great guy. Been my buddy for a while now. It’s kind of the side that I didn’t know about and, obviously, you got to learn pretty quickly anything can happen. It’s a business. Sad to see them go, but also pumped in the addition of Laine. I think he’s going to be great for us. I think we got a good group of guys so it’s nothing but excitement, but sad to see them go.”
Struble realizes that trading Kovacevic and Harris was a vote of confidence in him when it comes to battling for a job on the blue line with a group of young defencemen that includes Arber Xhekaj, Lane Hutson, Justin Barron and Logan Mailloux.
“I don’t want to get traded,” Struble said. “I never wanted to get traded. I love it here. So making it through that first little wave is good for the confidence. I’ve been here all summer trying to get ready for camp and hopefully they see that and I perform and I’m able to play again this year.”
Struble has trained hard off the ice all summer and has been skating hard for 90 minutes a day since June. He has also been falling in love with Montreal.
“I just love everything about it,” the Rhode Island native said. “I love all the guys here. Love the food and I like my view in my apartment. Just everything. Hopefully I’m here for a while and just take advantage of it.”