Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki Just Scratching The Surface So Far

One thing has remained constant since his arrival to the Montreal Canadiens; Nick Suzuki has been able to stay healthy (knock on wood).

Suzuki has made Marc Bergevin look brilliant with his trade, and it was rumoured his ask was Cody Glass, but Golden Knights GM George McPhee was not ready to do so. No offence to Glass, but, at this point, Suzuki has been the superior player. The Canadiens have longed for a center of Suzuki’s ilk, and he sets a standard for the Canadiens center core.

Although it was an injury-riddled season, Suzuki was healthy for a full 82 games, for the second season consecutively. He was also able to post a career-best in goals and points, during his first season as the captain. He scored 26 goals and 66 points while playing much of the season with a carousel of different linemates.

The poise, IQ and maturity have shone through brightly for the native of London, Ontario. A rebuild is tough enough as is, but also, dealing with a depleted lineup; due to injuries, is certainly a big test. Suzuki has handled it well, and given his ability to increase his point production, another increase is seemingly achievable.

How High Can He Climb?

With a full 82-game schedule ahead of him, and a healthy, refreshed Canadiens lineup ready to join him, the possibilities are exciting. Surely Caufield will occupy one of Suzuki’s wings, and perhaps Dach or Anderson on the other, which provides the young center with familiar faces. Caufield as the trigger-man, Anderson; the bull in a China shop and Suzuki the wizard with the puck, with an innate ability to make difficult passes look routine.

Caufield was on-pace for 46 goals before his injury, and I won’t bet against the Canadiens young sniper achieving that pace this year. Should he post 40 goals, it’s fair to predict that Suzuki will assist on, at minimum, 30 of them. So let’s say in the goals department because he won’t be easily isolated by defenders, 25-30 goals could be a reasonable assumption while adding 50-60 assists. I see him as a capable 80-85 point scorer, as early as next season.

In his prime, I believe that Suzuki can be a consistent 25-30 goal scorer, maybe 35 while adding 55-60 assists. Many don’t believe he is a number one guy, but at this juncture, he does all the things that a number one would do, all while playing on a rebuilding team. The sky is the limit for Suzuki, and he has shown an ability to show up in the big moments.

Bet against him at your own peril, he thrives on competition and big moments. Exciting times are ahead for the Canadiens, and Suzuki will be a huge reason for that.

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