Nick Suzuki is a class act, and the locker room loves him for it
Despite being quiet and even-keeled, Suzuki has the respect of the locker room, from veterans to the young prospects.
The Montreal Canadiens got themselves a nice trade package for Max Pacioretty, way back in September of 2018.
Nick Suzuki, the Canadiens eventual captain-to-be has developed into the centre the organization has longed for. But he has also been the perfect stalwart down the middle, providing maturity and steady play. Many teammates have noticed - including former Habs captain Shea Weber and rookie Joshua Roy recently sung Suzuki's praises.
It is no small feat to be named captain for an Original Six franchise, not to mention, one of the most storied NHL organizations flat out. But to be named captain at 23 years old, amid a rebuild is a crazy amount of pressure. But Suzuki just takes it all in stride, not blinking an eye, relishing the pressure rather than turtling away from it.
“Nick (Suzuki) is incredible, for real. He’s not the most outspoken but he often gives advice. He talks to everyone. The way he acts, on & off the ice, is outstanding. He sets an example for everyone even though he’s not the oldest. Even the older players look up to him & how… pic.twitter.com/UqQuGZ1MS0
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 25, 2024
Suzuki has been the exact player that the Canadiens need, and it's hard to imagine Marc Bergevin isn't gleaming with pride over the trade. Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have done tremendous work putting together a strong roster and drafting future hopefuls, and the trades. But Suzuki has proven to be the perfect player for the Canadiens, a complement to all the new additions.
Suzuki has magnetic-like quality
For a young player to be popular with the veterans, it requires a level of maturity and reliability that their teammates can be sure of. Sure they will always teach and give advice, but they will also buy into following a young guy's lead if they know that he bleeds the team's colours as much as they do. But being early in his prime years, makes him the ideal age to complement the older players, while being a mentor and teacher to the youth, while understanding and being patient with them.
Roy's comments aren't shocking, being named captain isn't a decision that is taken lightly; so Habs management knew just what they were doing. They knew that given his age and big game poise, he would be the perfect candidate. While the way he connected with Weber, Phil Danault, Joel Edmundson and even Cole Caufield to name a few, was very telling of how he draws everybody together,
manual