Newhook not ready to become 2C?

I feel Kuemper will get offered a Markstrom/Grubauer contract from someone. Can see a guy taking a but less to stay if his team was in the finals, but 4.1 instead of 6 would be a stretch.

He’s been scratched a bit these playoffs. When Kadri got injured, it was Rantanen playing 2C.

I think Newhook needs some more development time before you can rely on him as a 2C every night. Or you need to surround him with high end wingers and let him be a bit of a passenger on nights where he’s not feeling it.

Disagree. 18 came onto the Avs focusing on defense first, during last season playoffs. Throughout this season, his natural skill and ability was on display. He performed as well as JT Compher. IMO, these playoff scratches are a tenure thing. Newie has confidence and, judging by IG, maximum style. Bednar is a guy that acquires player buy-in by honoring earned positions. All it will take is Kadri signing elsewhere and Newhook gets 2C position easily.

It for sure comes down to role and usage, I just think he needs to cook for a little longer before you hand him the 2C keys. And maybe that backup plan is just defensively responsible wingers or having a backup plan that can share 2C duties.

So I’m on the fence a bit, but ultimately the Cap wins. Newhook at 2C allows for cap to spent more wisely elsewhere. In addition I think they can have Landeskog ride shotgun with him much the way he did with MacK handling C responsibilities on d while Newhook can get experience driving a line. It’s pretty easy to see a top 6 of Nichushkin MacK Mikko and Landy Newhook Lehkonen. A cheap short term compromise could be someone like Statsny though.

I think this a pretty accurate take. Kuemper might be willing to take a Lehner type deal and COL did pay a fairly pretty penny for him.