Quoting: AvsFanatic96_01_22
Why would the Avs do this? Newhook is going to be an important member of the Avs future and the Dubois contract sabotages the Bottom 6.
The argument is that you have to give to get. With the extension (would not do this without an extension), putting MacKinnon and Dubois 1/2 in the middle would create arguable the best 1-2 Center combo in the league for the next 7 years. Combine that with the D depth and this team would be elite.
Where does Newhook fit in? I think Avs fans are hoping and wishing for a top 6 role for him, but I am not convinced and hope is not a strategy. Newhook should not be on the bottom 6 (can't PK, too unselfish and won't shoot, doesn't hit, disappeared in the playoffs, etc). I wish him the best, but he is looking like a tweener, and if you can get a Dubois type, you do it.
The contract squeezes the bottom six for a year, but there are going to be a LOT of 3rd/4th line players looking for a $1m-$2M contract on a contender as the cap squeezes everyone this year. Plus I spent a bunch of money on Barbashev, which could be used elsewhere. The cap will go up by $3M per year the following 3 years and can be used on bottom six players.