Journal de Montréal journalist Jonathan Bernier was simply scathing in his mid-season review of the Montreal Canadiens.
Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, two players expected to represent the future of the team, were harshly criticized.
Bernier’s scathing words resonate like a real blow to these two players, already under pressure in a market as demanding as that of Montreal.
Kirby Dach, acquired at a high price by Kent Hughes to become the team’s second center, had a disastrous first half of the season.
Bernier was quick to point out his glaring deficiencies, including his long 19-game goalless streak from October 27 to December 7.
“Apart from the sign of life he has shown since returning from the Christmas break, he has had a horrible first half of the season. »
His weakness in the faceoff circle forced Martin St-Louis to move him to the wing, a decision that symbolizes Dach’s failure to assume his role as second-line center.
But that’s not all: his -23 differential, the second worst in the league, is a damning number.
“We are far from the second-line center that Kent Hughes saw in him. »
For a player who was expected to establish himself as a leader in the rebuild, these statistics are nothing short of disastrous.
Dach, despite some improvements since Christmas, still carries this label of fragile player, incapable of meeting the high expectations placed on him.
Alex Newhook, another major acquisition of Kent Hughes, does not escape criticism. Bernier describes him as one of the most insipid players on the team.
Despite good skating, his lack of aggressiveness and game vision make him ineffective in critical moments.
“Probably one of the most tasteless players on the team. He does honest work, but sometimes you wonder what role he plays within the team. »
Newhook still scored seven goals, but his contribution remains marginal for a player supposed to provide offensive depth.
According to Bernier, Newhook would be better suited to a role on the third line, a criticism that calls into question Hughes’ strategy in his evaluation of the player.
“His vision of the game is not his strength… It would be fair if he was used in a third line. »
Jonathan Bernier’s words, although incisive, reflect a difficult reality for the Canadian.
Dach and Newhook, two young players supposed to carry the future of the team, simply do not meet expectations.
These criticisms also raise questions about the decisions of Kent Hughes, who invested significant resources to acquire these players.
In Montreal, a market where patience is in short supply, Dach and Newhook’s performances must improve quickly.
Otherwise, they risk becoming symbols of personal failures for Kent Hughes.
Bernier’s blow is a stark reminder for Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook: expectations are high, and excuses will no longer be enough.
As the second half of the season begins, these two players must prove that they deserve their place and that they can contribute to the Canadian’s success.
Otherwise, Kent Hughes will have to make a move on the trade market.
Jonathan Bernier’s scathing criticism of Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook highlights a fundamental problem for the Montreal Canadiens: a glaring void at the second center position.
This role, crucial for a team that aspires to return to the playoffs, requires a player capable of combining aggressiveness, talent, and leadership. This is precisely where Sam Bennett comes into the picture.
According to sources close to the organization, Kent Hughes has identified Bennett as a priority target for the summer. For what?
Because the Florida Panthers forward embodies everything that Dach and Newhook are currently missing.
Sam Bennett, at 27, is recognized in the NHL as a tireless warrior. With a robust style of play and an ability to raise his level in the playoffs, he is exactly the type of player who could transform the Canadiens into a competitive team.
During the 2023 playoffs, Bennett was a dominant force for the Panthers, racking up key points while disrupting opponents with his physical intensity.
His ability to juggle offensive play and robustness is a rare quality, which neither Dach nor Newhook have been able to demonstrate this season.
Kirby Dach’s deficiencies in the faceoff circle and his inability to maintain a consistent level of play at five-on-five make him a difficult player to slot into a reliable second center role.
Dach often seems overwhelmed by the pressure, a problem that doesn’t affect Bennett. The latter is known for performing in environments where intensity is at its peak, an essential trait for surviving the Montreal market.
As for Alex Newhook, his lack of aggressiveness on the ice relegates him to a secondary role. You can clearly see that he is afraid of going into corners.
Bennett, with his ability to combine energy and efficiency, would fill this glaring gap.
Bennett never hesitates to throw himself into battles, an aspect of his game that sets him apart. Unlike Dach, whose play is often perceived as hesitant, or Newhook, who lacks physical presence, Bennett is a player who can change the course of a match through his intensity alone.
He is the type of center capable of creating openings for his wingers while offering exceptional defensive reliability.
Next summer, Kent Hughes will have the breathing room to strike a major blow on the free agent market.
Bennett is looking for a contract worth around $7 million per year. In Montreal, it could be around $8 million, with Quebec taxes still hurting.
With a $4.425 million per year contract ending this summer, Bennett represents a financially accessible option.
The Panthers, faced with salary constraints, will not be able to re-sign him.
The Canadiens organization cannot afford to wait indefinitely for Dach or Newhook to reach their full potential.
The two young players still have time to develop, but the team needs an impact player now to maximize the 2nd line, especially with Ivan Demidov who will arrive.
In Bennett, Kent Hughes sees an immediate and lasting solution to a problem that has been holding back the Canadian for too long.
If the team wants to become a real threat in the Eastern Conference, it will need to rely on a player capable of commanding respect from its opponents while offering a significant offensive contribution.
The Canadiens’ recent performances, combined with fans’ growing expectations for the playoffs, put Hughes in a position where he must act.
Bennett represents not only a short-term solution, but also a piece that could complement the core for several years.
With a player like Bennett, the Canadian could finally stabilize his second line, add a dose of strength and restore hope to a fan base impatient to see their team in the playoffs again.
Kent Hughes must seize this opportunity, because the patience of all of Quebec has its limits.
