Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki Contract Nothing But Good News

We’ve been patiently waiting for this day to come and i’m sure most of you didn’t want this to drag until the summer, but at the eve of the Canadiens season opener in Toronto the deal is done. Nick Suzuki has signed a new contract.

The deal is for 8 years at an AAV of $7.785 million. The deal will bring the London, Ontario native and 2017 13th overall draft pick to the 2029-30 season where he will be 30 years old. The salary is straight up and includes no bonuses both at the signature and performance column.

Suzuki was of course the integral part of the Max Pacioretty trade on September 10th 2018. The Habs had sent the disgruntled captain while holding 10% of his remaining salary and in return the Canadiens received Tomas Tatar (with Vegas holding on to 9.4% or 500,000 of his salary), Nick Suzuki, who hasn’t played an NHL game yet, and a 2nd round pick which was ultimately sent to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In his first 2 NHL seasons all with the Montreal Canadiens, Suzuki amassed 28 goals, 54 assists for 82 points in 127 games. In both seasons he has been incredibly clutch in the playoffs registering a total of 11 goals, 12 assists for 23 points in 32 games.

Suzuki has also displayed great strides in the defensive zone showing us that he can become a formidable two-way forward. Extending him to the maximum 8 years at this salary, can seem like a bargain in the latter years of his contract as the deal also buys 4 years of his unrestricted free agency years. The deal can comparable to Nico Hischier’s of the New Jersey Devils who signed a similar deal last season at 7 years at a yearly $7.25 million cap hit and who plays a similar style.

Sorry Carolina, you won’t be able to offer sheet this one.