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Canadiens Call-Up Options To Replace Injured Newhook
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- Canadiens Call-Up Options To Replace Injured Newhook
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The Montreal Canadiens are yet to provide a health update for Alex Newhook , but based on head coach Martin St-Louis' reaction, it seems likely they'll need to recall a forward from the AHL to bolster the troops.
Newhook was injured after slamming into the boards, feet-first, on Thursday night versus the Dallas Stars . Considering he has already dealt with an ankle injury in his young career, the outlook for a quick recovery is far from encouraging.
Montreal Canadiens Call Up Options
Two of the Laval Rocket's most productive forwards, Laurent Dauphin and Alex Belzile , cannot be recalled, as they are signed to AHL contracts only.
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This leaves us with a few decent options, though they all have their respective strengths and weaknesses.
As we discussed last week , Jared Davidson is not only a highly-entertaining forward, he leads the Rocket with nine goals, a testament to his ability to score in a variety of manners, including his excellent one-timer.
Davidson tends to outwork his opponents almost every shift, indicating that he could bring a much-needed dose of energy to the table for a team that is having a hard time finding its rhythm in November.
You could argue that he'd be best suited for a bottom-six role, at least at this stage of his development, and you'd have a point, but I'd counter by suggesting his perceived ideal role is fairly irrelevant, as no other prospect has shown they can drive the offence with more consistency.
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He also gives St-Louis another shooter in his lineup, rather than a playmaker, which could yield interesting results depending on the line combinations.
He's currently being used as Laval's second-line wing, but it should be noted that Davidson has ample experience playing as a centre.
Sean Farrell
Davidson is currently second in Rocket scoring , with 11 points in 13 games, however, he's not the only prospect who has managed to reach the 10-point mark in the AHL this season.
Sean Farrell is also enjoying a solid start to the 2025-26 campaign, to the tune of two goals and eight assists, putting him on a prorated scoring pace of 55 points.
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In terms of finding a player who can perhaps match some of Newhook's strong points, Farrell is certainly among the few candidates with a skill set that is focused almost entirely on skill rather than truculence.
He's being used as a winger on Laval's top line, alongside Joshua Roy and Laurent Dauphin, connoting that he'd likely need the same type of talented linemates if the team hopes his AHL production will translate to the NHL.
He's also waiver eligible, which means the team would risk losing him once the time comes to send him back to the Rocket.
Or rather, if the time comes.
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Additional Montreal Canadiens Call-Up Options
It seems unlikely the team will once again call on Joshua Roy, but he shouldn't be overlooked just because he had a hard time last season. Despite missing some games due to a call-up to the NHL, Roy continues to produce, with four goals and three assists in nine AHL games this season.
He's a very important player for the Rocket, which may work against him in this particular case. The priority is always the NHL, but there's a point of diminishing returns when you recall a productive AHL player because warm bodies are needed as an insurance policy.
Roy's value is much higher playing in the AHL, rather than watching games from the press box in the NHL.
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Which leads us to another player who has some experience playing for the Montreal Canadiens.
Owen Beck stumbled out of the gates in the AHL, with only four points to his credit, but he does have value beyond scoring. He's excellent on faceoffs, is defensively responsible, and you can be certain he will provide an honest effort every shift.
Adding a cerebral forward such as Beck to the mix is rarely a bad idea.
Beyond Beck, Roy, Farrell, and Davidson, the options are quite limited. Lucas Condotta is a little older than most of his counterparts, which means the Canadiens do not have to worry about his development, but it's also fair to say his potential impact in the NHL is low.
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As for a dark horse candidate, I'd look to Filip Mesar, who is currently playing on Laval's second line, with Davidson and Belzile.
He only has four points to his credit this season in the AHL, but he does possess a skill set that brings a little more talent to the equation compared to some of his teammates.
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