![\"\u201cAlex](\"https:\/\/news2.watchtowatch.top\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/27564108.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In a crushing blow to the Montreal Canadiens, star forward Alex Newhook has been sidelined for the next\u00a0four months<\/strong> following surgery on a fractured ankle. The injury, which occurred during Thursday’s game against the Dallas Stars, is set to leave a major void in Montreal’s offense.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n In a shocking turn of events, Newhook, who was performing at a high level this season with 12 points<\/strong> (six goals, six assists) in 17 games<\/strong>, was injured after a hard hit from Dallas defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin. As Newhook slid feet-first into the boards, the collision resulted in a fracture, forcing the 24-year-old to undergo surgery and take a lengthy break from action.<\/p>\n But despite the devastating setback, Newhook isn\u2019t backing down. In a determined statement<\/strong> after the surgery, he vowed: <\/em><\/p>\n A Stanley Cup Champion\u2019s Determination<\/strong> But it\u2019s not just Newhook who\u2019s facing challenges in Montreal\u2019s lineup. The Canadiens also revealed that defenseman <\/p>\n Canadiens Left Shorthanded<\/strong> However, Newhook’s unwavering confidence<\/strong> provides a glimmer of hope. His commitment to return as soon as possible sends a strong message to his teammates and fans that he\u2019s not giving up. With his eyes firmly set on recovery, Newhook is determined to <\/p>\n The Wait Begins<\/strong> The real question is: Can Montreal hold on without their star forward, or will Newhook\u2019s comeback be the spark that reignites the team\u2019s playoff hopes?<\/strong><\/p>\n Nathaniel Lowe is expected to be cut loose by the Red Sox this week. (AP Photo\/Ross D. Franklin)AP<\/em><\/p>\n The Red Sox have some roster cleanup due this week, with Tuesday marking the date by which teams need to add eligible prospects to their 40-man rosters to protect them from the Rule 5 draft and Friday representing the annual non-tender deadline for arbitration-eligible players. Don\u2019t expect Boston to clear a roster spot by cutting bait with a homegrown former All-Star starter, though.<\/p>\n At this point, Boston is unlikely to non-tender injured righty Tanner Houck, multiple sources said Monday. With a 40-man roster crunch coming, there was some thought that cutting bait with Houck was possible due to his current situation. Houck, who took home $3.95 million in 2025, is projected (by MLBTradeRumors\u2019 widely used model) to take home the same salary in 2026, but is expected to miss most if not all of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August. Considering the 2027 season is in jeopardy due to labor tensions and Houck is set to hit free agency after that year, the possibility existed that the Red Sox could non-tender (release) Houck into free agency to save a bit of money knowing he won\u2019t be ready to pitch for most of 2026. But sources indicate the Red Sox plan to tender him a contract.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear if the sides have talked about a creative long-term deal. Tendering Houck a contract would keep him under club control ahead of negotiations to avoid arbitration and set a 2026 salary later in the winter.<\/p>\n By Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, teams must add eligible prospects to their 40-man rosters to protect them from being poached in next month\u2019s Rule 5 draft. The Red Sox, who have a full 40-man roster, don\u2019t have a long list of candidates but are expected to make at least a move or two. Right-handed prospect David Sandlin is a virtual lock to be added, requiring at least one 40-man roster spot to be cleared. Lefties Shane Drohan and Hayden Mullins, righties Yordanny Monegro (injured) and Jedixson Paez and outfielder Miguel Bleis are among the other potential Rule 5 candidates in the organization. If the Red Sox want to make sure any of those players aren\u2019t taken in the Rule 5 draft, they can add them. Doing so would require spots to be cleared.<\/p>\n Any roster spots that need to be cleared for prospect additions need to be opened simultaneously Tuesday, which is a day when small trades are usually made throughout baseball. Therefore, the Red Sox could get a jump on the Friday non-tender deadline (set for 8 p.m. ET) by moving on from players four days early. The non-tender date represents an opportunity for teams to cut bait with arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration-eligible players and send them into free agency. The Red Sox, unlike in previous years, could be busy on non-tender day.<\/p>\n The most obvious non-tender candidate on the roster is first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, who is projected to earn $13.5 million in 2026. That mark represents much more than what he\u2019d get on the open market after a down season that included him being cut by the Nationals. Lowe will almost certainly be lopped off the roster but could re-sign at a lower rate as he tests the open market. Boston is anticipating the healthy return of Triston Casas next season and is looking to upgrade the first base position via free agency or trade.<\/p>\n The Red Sox have seven other arbitration-eligible players and are certain to retain Kutter Crawford, Romy Gonzalez, Triston Casas and Brennan Bernardino at their low projected numbers. Connor Wong, who is projected to make $1.6 million in 2026, is expected to be tendered after Craig Breslow gave him a vote of confidence last week. Cooper Criswell already agreed to a one-year, $800,000 deal for 2026, removing him from non-tender consideration.<\/p>\n In addition to Lowe, the Red Sox could cut bait with some younger players on the roster. Righty Josh Winckowski (projected to make $800,000) is a candidate to be cut from the roster, as is lefty Jovani Mor\u00e1n. Tough roster decisions might be made with the utility group of Vaughn Grissom, David Hamilton, Nate Eaton and Nick Sogard later in the winter but for now, those players are projected to be safe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In a crushing blow to the Montreal Canadiens, star forward Alex Newhook has been sidelined for the next\u00a0four months following surgery on a fractured ankle. The injury, which occurred during Thursday’s game…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“This injury won\u2019t stop me from coming back stronger. I know it\u2019s going to be a challenge, but I\u2019m determined to return as soon as possible because I want to help my team win. I\u2019m not focused on the time off, just on my recovery and getting back on the ice.”<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Newhook, who was part of the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup-winning squad<\/strong>, has proven himself to be a valuable asset for the Canadiens since joining them. His offensive production has been crucial to Montreal\u2019s success this season, and now, more than ever, his <\/p>\n
With both Newhook and Guhle sidelined for extended periods, the Canadiens face a tough road ahead. Fans are left wondering how the team will cope with two key players out of action. While Newhook’s absence will certainly hurt offensively, the Canadiens’ defense is also feeling the impact of Guhle\u2019s injury.<\/p>\n
For now, Canadiens fans will have to brace themselves for a four-month wait<\/strong> until Newhook is back on the ice. But with his spirit and determination, fans can rest assured that he\u2019ll be working tirelessly to get back in top form.<\/p>\n