Montreal Canadiens: Five Bold Predictions For 2023-24 Season

OTTAWA, CANADA - JANUARY 28: Owen Beck #62 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on January 28, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, CANADA - JANUARY 28: Owen Beck #62 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on January 28, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
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Apr 13, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Suzuki Goes Point-Per-Game.

After a second consecutive 82 games played season, Suzuki has been the Canadiens ironman. He stated that he definitely played through some ailments, but he remained the most consistent player in the lineup. He also posted a career-best 66 points, all without any consistent linemates.

This season though, Suzuki will have his best bud Caufield back on the wing, and if they can pick up where they left off, there’s no telling what the duo could do. This isn’t even taking into account who plays on the line’s other wing, which should only push the line even further. A dynamic playmaker isn’t the lone threat of Suzuki, as he can also burn goalies with his quick release.

A full season with Caufield on his wing should see an incline in his production. The sniper just knows how to get lost in the opposition’s zone, before emerging in a high-danger scoring area.

Suzuki has shown an ability to look off the defender, showing a shot, before threading a last-second pass across to Caufield. A point per game season seems less bold, but the non-believers might argue that. For Suzuki, however, he has developed a clutch ability, and it’s translated from junior hockey to the NHL level.

Regardless of the situation, Suzuki has the ability to look comfortable and make the game look easy, his hockey IQ and brilliant puck skills take over, and having the most skilled players alongside him will only bring the best out of everybody.