Former Avalanche Forward Lands Extension With Montreal Canadiens

September 15, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

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Former Colorado Avalanche forward and 2022 Stanley Cup champion Alex Newhook is staying in Montreal for the long haul.

The Montreal Canadiens announced Tuesday that Newhook has signed a four-year, $22.2 million contract extension that carries a $5.55 million average annual value. The deal begins in 2027-28 and runs through 2030-31, keeping Newhook under contract through his age-29 season.

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Newhook, 25, is entering the final season of the four-year, $11.6 million contract he signed with Montreal after being acquired from the Avalanche in June 2023. He was scheduled to become a restricted free agent next summer.

The Canadiens sent Colorado the No. 31 and No. 37 picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, along with defenseman Gianni Fairbrother, to acquire Newhook. The Avalanche used the first-round selection on defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev, while the second-round pick was flipped to the Tampa Bay Lightning the following day for forward Ross Colton.

Newhook’s departure came after he spent two full seasons with the Avalanche trying to establish himself as a full-time center. After Nazem Kadri left as a free agent following Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship, there was an opportunity for Newhook to take over the No. 2 center role.

It never quite happened.

Newhook moved between center and wing during his final season in Colorado, finishing with 14 goals and 30 points in 82 games. The Avalanche ultimately moved on during their big offseason shakeup in 2023.

Newhook has had an up-and-down tenure in Montreal, with injuries limiting his availability at times. But he has also shown flashes of the offensive ability that made him the No. 16 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

His biggest opportunity came last spring.

Newhook scored seven goals and added three assists in 19 playoff games as the Canadiens advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. His seven goals led Montreal during its postseason run, while his 17:14 average time on ice was a career high.

That playoff performance came after Newhook appeared in just 42 regular-season games in 2025-26, recording 13 goals and 25 points. His 15-goal seasons in 2023-24 and 2024-25 remain his career high, while his 34 points in 2024-25 are also his best single-season total.

Newhook’s best offensive season in Colorado came in 2021-22 when he finished with 33 points.

Now, with Montreal continuing to build around a young core that reached the Eastern Conference Final last season, Newhook is positioned to take on an increasingly important role.

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