Kent Hughes had traded the 31st and 37th overall picks to the Avalanche in exchange for forward Alex Newhook.
The 31st pick became Mikhail Gulyayev, a defenseman who played 38 games this season in the KHL, while the 37th pick, as we know, became Ethan Gauthier, who was clearly in the sights of the Canadiens according to several sources.
Hughes made a bold choice by giving up two solid picks and relinquishing the opportunity to select Ethan.
Months later, unfortunately, Newhook suffered a serious injury after playing 23 games in his first season in Montreal. He had managed to score seven goals and accumulate 13 points during this period, which is a production pace equivalent to 23 goals and 43 points over a full season.
Ethan Gauthier, 18, has amassed 30 points, including 13 goals, in 28 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL. He has just signed his first contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning after a good start to the season.
Gauthier: A Dynamic, Versatile Forward with Offensive Skills and Unique Character, Meeting Several Key Criteria.
It's still too early to fully evaluate the outcome of this trade, but knowing all this and with a few months of hindsight, what do you think?
Would you prefer having Newhook, or Gauthier and the first-round pick?
POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 15 | 641 ANSWERS Trade Between the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens Officially Completed: One Player is Making Kent Hughes Look Like He Made the Wrong Decision to Trade for Alex Newhook What would you rather have? | ||
Alex Newhook | 368 | 57.4 % |
Ethan Gauthier + 1st rd pick | 273 | 42.6 % |
List of polls |