Montreal’s hockey obsession is ablaze with controversy as analyst Jean-Charles Lajoie drops a bombshell that’s got Canadiens fans buzzing! In a bold, no-holds-barred statement, Lajoie takes aim at Alex Newhook, questioning his hockey IQ and ability to elevate rising star Ivan Demidov.

The shocking critique has sparked heated debates across the city, with fans and experts divided over whether Newhook is the right fit for Montreal’s future. But that’s not all—Lajoie’s praise for Zachary Bolduc’s sniper-like shot and superior hockey sense has ignited dreams of a dynamic Bolduc-Demidov duo that could set the NHL on fire.

As the Canadiens’ faithful imagine new line combinations, questions swirl: Can Bolduc’s lightning-fast shot and hockey smarts unlock Demidov’s potential? Is Newhook’s speed enough to silence the critics, or will he fall short of Montreal’s lofty expectations? With the season still young, coach Martin St. Louis faces a high-stakes puzzle to find the perfect center for his Russian prodigy. Dive into the full story to uncover Lajoie’s explosive comments, the fan frenzy, and what this means for the Canadiens’ quest to build a championship-caliber line!

Alex Newhook (left) Jean-Charles Lajoie (right)

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

Jean-Charles Lajoie compares Alex Newhook and Zachary Bolduc with striking statements.

In Montreal, we live and breathe hockey. Imagining what the Canadiens’ lines could look like is part of our daily routine.

Analyst or simply fan – everyone has their opinion.

Some allow themselves to go a little further than others.

And that’s exactly what Jean-Charles Lajoie did with this statement:

“Newhook doesn’t have the hockey IQ necessary to help Demidov reach the next level.”

Ouf, he didn’t hold back with that one.

But according to him, not just anyone can play with Demidov.

Zachary Bolduc with Demidov?

A Bolduc-Demidov combination makes every Canadiens fan excited.

“Bolduc has a knack for the net and a higher hockey IQ than Newhook.”

– Jean-Charles Lajoie

Bolduc is only in his second season in the league, but one thing is certain – the Canadiens went after him for his lightning-quick shot.

The host even said this about his devastating shot:

“He’s a sniper – he’s got a major-league shot by NHL standards. Everyone recognizes that; I’m not making it up.”

All that’s missing now is finding a center capable of playing with those two.

Personally, I think Alex Newhook’s speed fits pretty well with Demidov’s game.

Could he be the one to complete that line?

The season is still very young, and St. Louis still has plenty of time to find the perfect combination to complement his young Russian star’s game.