Nick Suzuki praises Shea Weber

When the Montreal Canadiens acquired Nick Suzuki i'm not sure that the club nor the player knew just how great things would work out.

Things have worked out quite well since that 10th day of September 2018. Suzuki was a prolific point producer and clutch player in junior. But the way he has transitioned to the NHL and carved out a role at the top of the Habs lineup has been nothing short of impressive. So much so, that the London, Ontario native was named the 31st captain in the storied Canadiens history on the 12th of September 2022.

But let's rewind to the time before Suzuki was the grizzled 25-year-old veteran captain for the famous Bleu, blanc and rouge. Suzuki was learning his craft, under the tutelage of Shea Weber, Brendan Gallagher and a couple of other veterans, who have departed the organization in hopes of a Stanley Cup ring. Weber, however, helped Suzuki learn how to carry himself, both on and off the ice.

The Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2021 has got to be, in my opinion, the top of all that Suzuki got to experience before Weber had to reluctantly hang up his skates.

Weber has left an impact on everybody he has faced and teamed up with, and for obvious reasons, he was loved by his teammates and hated but respected by opponents. He didn't play the game like a villain, but like an overprotective dad who didn't take well to his sons being pushed around. That is why he was nicknamed dad by his Canadiens teammates.

Each player who was a part of Weber's final NHL season benefitted a little from Weber, but Suzuki has obviously taken many lessons from 'The Man Mountain' which have helped him to be resilient and patient through the frustrating parts of a full-scale rebuild.

Devastating loss provided fuel for the future

The loss at the hands of the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning weighed heavily on everybody who was a part of the Canadiens. From managers to players and especially the fanbase, it was a difficult pill to swallow. Carey Price and Weber took it very hard, considering it was the end of their respective careers, but guys like Suzuki and Cole Caufield were just starting out their careers.

What a way to start, not many players can say they entered the league and early in their career went straight to the Stanley Cup Final. And, they are certainly proud of the accomplishment, but it's unfinished business and leaves a sour taste in their mouths without a doubt. I would expect that the Habs rebuild might be in a much worse place if the guys who were there with Suzuki and Caufield didn't have a chip on their shoulder because of the loss.

Yes, I know the Habs were on a six-game losing skid, which they finally ended with a 7-5 win over the Buffalo Sabres, which both Suzuki and Caufield had their prints all over. But the experience that they acquired from a deep run, under a Hockey Hall of Fame captain, and one of the best goalies of the modern era is priceless. The next time, I expect 22 and 14 will be better prepared and their lessons will be a huge help for the new group of young players looking to establish themselves as regular NHL players.