On August 23rd, NHL Media producers and analysts released their list of the Top 20 centres in the league right now, highlighting the players as vital parts of their team: "Winning important face-offs, leading rushes up the ice, and setting up teammates." These key traits define an elite centre, and as the Montreal Canadiens' captain, Nick Suzuki making the list is high praise.
Another year in the top 10 for Nick Suzuki (@CanadiensMTL) on NHL Network's Top 20 Centers Right Now list!
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) August 23, 2026
📺: #NHLTopPlayers on NHL Network pic.twitter.com/x3uefJEg4B
Nick Suzuki ranked 9th, moving up on the list after being ranked 10th last year. Finishing the 2025-26 season with 101 points (29 goals and 72 assists) and an impressive +37 in 82 games, Suzuki had a career-high performance in points. Making this the fifth consecutive season where he increased his point total, Nick Suzuki is carving his way into the history books.
In the playoffs, Suzuki recorded 16 points in 19 games, with 4 goals and 16 assists, highlighting his talent for setting his teammates up for success. His playoff performance reinforced his importance as the centerpiece of Montreal's young core and was heavily relied on to produce offensively in key situations. With the Canadiens reaching the Eastern Conference Final, Suzuki was a key reason for success.
Winning 50.4% of his face-offs, Nick Suzuki also won the Selke Trophy as the "best defensive forward." While leading Montreal in total ice time, Suzuki presented himself as more than a reliable two-way centre, developing into an impactful driver of Montreal's offense, producing impressive stats alongside the NHL's best. One of the most impressive aspects of Suzuki's career is his consistency and durability, as the 26-year-old has not missed a game in his seven NHL seasons. With 537 consecutive regular-season games starting with his first game in 2019, Nick Suzuki has the 2nd-longest active streak in the NHL (Brent Burns is 1st).
Now, with a 101-point season, a Selke Trophy, and incredible reliability to put in his minutes and play his game, Nick Suzuki has firmly established himself in the conversation of the NHL's top centres. Ranking 9th and heading into the 2026-27 season as Montreal's captain, the Canadiens will be counting on him to continue driving the team's rise to reaching the Stanley Cup.
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