The Colorado Avalanche agreed to send center Alex Newhook to the Montreal Canadiens for a first-round pick and second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft along with defenceman Gianni Fairbrother. This move had to be done sooner than later if it was going to be done since the 2023 NHL Draft is on Wednesday.
Now, the Avalanche have two first-round picks: along with the 31st pick they just acquired, they also already had the 27th selection.
Unfortunately, Newhook did not quite live up to expectations of the Avalanche. He was inserted into the second-line center spot but there were reasons that that decision was not the best fit.