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Montreal Canadiens: Mitchell Stephens Being Called Up Bad Sign For Alex Newhook

By Ken MacMillan

Sep 28, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Mitchell Stephens (13) skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Mitchell Stephens (13) skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Montreal Canadiens fell 5-1 to the Florida Panthers last night and it appears they will be without one of their top six forwards after the game as well.

Alex Newhook survived an odd looking tumble early in the game, when his skate was taken out from under him by a Panthers player. He fell awkwardly along the boards near the red line and looked to be injured, but returned quickly after heading to the dressing room.

Late in the game, Newhook was not so lucky. He used his blazing speed to drive to the net and had his feet taken out from under him. He fell feet first into the side of the net and his left foot seemed to catch in the netting as he sort of crumpled on top of his own foot and ankle.

He appeared to be in distress as he stayed down on the ice behind the net and the play was called. A couple of Canadiens players helped him to the bench, and he gingerly hobbled down the tunnel with help from trainers as he headed back to the medical room. There has been no further update from the team, but recent news suggest Newhook will be out of the lineup.

Mitchell Stephens was recalled from the Laval Rocket this evening, seemingly to replace Newhook on the roster. The Canadiens do play tomorrow night, so this is not a guarantee that Newhook is out long term, but his injury did look severe last night as he was helped off the ice.

Stephens is a 26 year old center who has scored 12 points in 16 games with the Rocket this season. He has played 72 career NHL games and has three goals and 13 points at the highest level of hockey.

While Michael Pezzetta was serving as a healthy scratch last night, he is most likely to step into the lineup in Newhook’s presumed absence, and Stephens is likely to watch some hockey with Mattias Norlinder while collecting NHL pay. If he is pressed into duty, Stephens is a solid two-way player for the Rocket who could play center or the wing on the fourth line and play dependable minutes without adding much scoring.

Hopefully the news on Newhook isn’t too brutal and this is just a short term stopgap.

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