An announcement that will have a major impact on the Montreal Canadiens' offense

The Montreal Canadiens hit the ice in Brossard this morning with a noticeable shift in energy. Seeing a key piece of the core taking line rushes changes the mood entirely.

All eyes immediately locked onto number 15. He was flying out there.

Ditching the dreaded non-contact sweater is exactly the news this locker room needed to hear. The recovery timeline has finally reached its final stage.

It means he is on the absolute verge of a return to the active roster. The medical staff has clearly given him the green light to absorb hits along the boards.

Getting thrust back into the daily grind of NHL practices is the ultimate test for his conditioning. He looked sharp during edge-work drills and battled hard in the corners.

His return is going to force management to make some very tough roster decisions. Someone is getting bumped down the depth chart or sent to Laval.

This team has been desperately searching for consistent secondary scoring during this recent stretch. The top line cannot carry the offensive output every single night.

Newhook brings a specific type of speed through the neutral zone that creates absolute havoc for opposing defenders. He forces defensemen to respect his gap control.

Montreal desperately needs his transition game to establish those high-danger controlled entries. It should immediately help jumpstart a power play that goes cold far too often.

Slotting him back into the middle six instantly balances the forward lines. He provides a safety net that allows other young players to face easier matchups.

You simply cannot understate how much the coaching staff relies on his overall versatility. He can lock down the center ice position or easily shift to the wing.

The flexibility to move him around the chessboard is a luxury this team has missed. He absorbs difficult minutes and rarely looks out of place.

Now, the waiting game begins for his official activation off injured reserve. The front office will likely monitor how his body responds to a few more heavy skates.

If everything goes according to plan, he will be back under the bright lights shortly. The Bell Centre faithful are definitely ready to welcome him back.