C Nick Suzuki - Guelph Storm, OHL (2017, 13th, VGK; traded to MTL)

[Burke the Legend]

So jealous how Montreal handled him. He and Frost had the same amount of points after 18 games. Flyers bailed on Frost and sent him to AHL while Montreal stuck with NS and he has rewarded that decision with increased/continued good play.

Well done.

It's still a big argument on the Habs forum. Not for Suzuki & Fleury (who are having excellent rookie seasons) but more for Poehling, Kotkaniemi & Mete. I guess it depends on the player (confidence issue argument) but it seems like there's a better argument these days for keeping top talents in the NHL to learn the major league speed they will face. People need to account that teenagers on an elite track are receive much better "pro style' coaching and training in elite youth/junior leagues compared to 10-30 years ago where they would need more time to acclimatize to the jump from junior to pro game.

 

[Tripod]

It's still a big argument on the Habs forum. Not for Suzuki & Fleury (who are having excellent rookie seasons) but more for Poehling, Kotkaniemi & Mete. I guess it depends on the player (confidence issue argument) but it seems like there's a better argument these days for keeping top talents in the NHL to learn the major league speed they will face. People need to account that teenagers on an elite track are receive much better "pro style' coaching and training in elite youth/junior leagues compared to 10-30 years ago where they would need more time to acclimatize to the jump from junior to pro game.

Yeah....on the Flyers boards most think Frost should be up playing in the NHL so he can learn/adjust to the speed of the game. Plus, our AHL coach Gordon has no system in place so it's not like he is learning the Flyers system or anything...and that is dumb. Both Frost and Nick were very close in comparables since being drafted and it does show that HOW you handle a prospect, can affect how he performs but he also has to have the talent behind it.

 

[Canadienna]

He looks like a young Patrice Bergeron too me.

You're not the only one. I didn't watch much of PB at Suzuki's age, so I don't really know, but Suzuki is a one of a kind player for sure.

He's often watching the play and you'll be about to curse him for just standing around, then he'll move slightly into perfect position, read the play, and break it up. Smart smart kid.

Not necessarily oozing with talent like some other top rookies, but I think his hockey IQ is what will be his defining trait over the years.

 

[Fixxer]

You're not the only one. I didn't watch much of PB at Suzuki's age, so I don't really know, but Suzuki is a one of a kind player for sure.

He's often watching the play and you'll be about to curse him for just standing around, then he'll move slightly into perfect position, read the play, and break it up. Smart smart kid.

Not necessarily oozing with talent like some other top rookies, but I think his hockey IQ is what will be his defining trait over the years.

There's Andre Tourigny, Ottawa 67's coach and Team Canada world juniors assistant coach, compared Suzuki to Ryan O Reilly. So, we're in that Bergeron type too. They are smart and play the right way. Not NHL scoring leaders but everyone would want one of those on their team.

André Tourigny: Suzuki ressemble à Ryan O'Reilly - 91.9 Sport

 

[Gravity]

We will know once KK fills his frame, he is also 1 yr younger than Suzuki... Both are going to be great...

Yeah KK gets very underrated. Him and Suzuki will both pan out quite nicely.

 

[TT1]

 

[ottawa]

5 points in his last 3 games, a nice little streak going on for him.

32 points in 53 games...50 pts seems like a long shot but I can see him either getting there or close.

 

[Andrei79]

Early impressions of his game makes me think the Habs lucked out in Vegas refusing to deal Glass.

Not that Glass can't be or won't be a high end center. He's a really good prospect and it's still too soon to tell who will be better. But, Suzuki's showing elite flashes in multiple aspects of his game. He's gained quite a bit of speed and strength, to the point he's now one of the stronger forwards on the team.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

5 points in his last 3 games, a nice little streak going on for him.

32 points in 53 games...50 pts seems like a long shot but I can see him either getting there or close.

Been on a 65 point pace since the New Year

As long as Julien doesn't "manage his fatigue" Nick will hit 50

 

[TT1]

whats impressed me the most is his d-game, his hockey iq is insane

 

[Michoulicious]

Kid is basically Montreal #1B center now (with Danault being the de facto #1A on the Gallagher/Tatar line).

He is playing 16-20+ mins/game and he has been on the team top PP unit for a while, which is not Danault's case... He obviously has more offensive upside than Danault, but he's been steadily improving on the faceoffs and I would not be surprised to see him get PK duties at some point in his his career.

Reminds me of a young Bergeron (!), which is quite high praise to say the least. Bergeron obviously made it to the NHL sooner, but Suzuki is having such an impact in his rookie year... and I feel we're just scratching the surface. The fact Julien was the headcoach that developed Bergeron makes the similarities between both players even more striking.

If the Habs can turn Tatar into a solid return (1st+good prospect is not unreasonable given his current production of 0,91 PPG, his caphit and the year left on his deal), that Pacioretty trade could even be seen soon as an even better deal than the Weise/Fleischmann one, depending of course on the development of those other pieces.

Right now:

Weise+Fleischmann for Danault+Romanov

vs

Pacioretty for Suzuki+Norlinder+LeGuerrier+??? (Tatar)

Impressive, impressive rookie season by Suzuki.

 

[Lion Hound]

Was a big fan of him in his draft year. Was hoping he was the NYR pick.

Looks like he's up on the 2nd line with Kovalchuk and Domi will be centering the 3rd line tonight. Very impressive rookie campaign.

 

[Hostile Offer]

His progress this year has been pretty amazing to watch. Definitely belongs to the centre.

 

[Tutu to]

I’m super happy to admit I was wrong about him. I wasn’t impressed with him last pre season and at the world juniors. I’m usually not high on soft players who lack speed but he’s been great this season.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I’m super happy to admit I was wrong about him. I wasn’t impressed with him last pre season and at the world juniors. I’m usually not high on soft players who lack speed but he’s been great this season.

World Juniors are always hit, or miss. A guy could be amazing there and then become nothing and vice versa.

He has a slight, hidden edge that has emerged over the past month. Tom Wilson tried to charge him like the tool he is, Suzuki was able to avoid it and then when Wilson got the puck Suzuki stepped into him. Wilson didn't like it and "roughed" him up a bit. Suzuki was laughing the whole time.

Just last night after a Devils goal, I believe the 3rd one you can see him saying something to Carrick I believe it is.

He's also stepped up and threw some hits.

Overall I'd still label him as soft, too, but he has a sneaky edge to strike back.


Good trade for both teams I still think.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I was a big fan in his draft year. Still thought he'd need a season or half season in the AHL this year, but he surpassed my expectations. Seems to be using his smarts and effort a lot more away from the puck than in the OHL, which is making him a two way thread based on the accounts of posters here. Good for him.

 

[Tutu to]

World Juniors are always hit, or miss. A guy could be amazing there and then become nothing and vice versa.

He has a slight, hidden edge that has emerged over the past month. Tom Wilson tried to charge him like the tool he is, Suzuki was able to avoid it and then when Wilson got the puck Suzuki stepped into him. Wilson didn't like it and "roughed" him up a bit. Suzuki was laughing the whole time.

Just last night after a Devils goal, I believe the 3rd one you can see him saying something to Carrick I believe it is.

He's also stepped up and threw some hits.

Overall I'd still label him as soft, too, but he has a sneaky edge to strike back.


Good trade for both teams I still think.

Appears fairly solid/strong on his skates.

Also while not an elite skater his skating really isn’t an issue.

 

[Dominance]

World Juniors are always hit, or miss. A guy could be amazing there and then become nothing and vice versa.

He has a slight, hidden edge that has emerged over the past month. Tom Wilson tried to charge him like the tool he is, Suzuki was able to avoid it and then when Wilson got the puck Suzuki stepped into him. Wilson didn't like it and "roughed" him up a bit. Suzuki was laughing the whole time.

Just last night after a Devils goal, I believe the 3rd one you can see him saying something to Carrick I believe it is.

He's also stepped up and threw some hits.

Overall I'd still label him as soft, too, but he has a sneaky edge to strike back.


Good trade for both teams I still think.

I don’t agree with the implications of “soft.” Suzuki is a HUGE competitor who will go to the hard areas and give his all all the time. He just prefers to get his own back on the scoreboard rather than doing something that will land him in the box. His penalty numbers have always been incredibly low and he was lauded for his effectiveness while being a gentlemanly player throughout his tenure in the OHL.

It is legitimately impressive when star players can be effective checkers and fight through all the physicality without taking themselves out of the play and hurting their team with retaliatory penalties. Suzuki stands a very good chance of winning multiple Lady Byng trophies over the course of his career.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I don’t agree with the implications of “soft.” Suzuki is a HUGE competitor who will go to the hard areas and give his all all the time. He just prefers to get his own back on the scoreboard rather than doing something that will land him in the box. His penalty numbers have always been incredibly low and he was lauded for his effectiveness while being a gentlemanly player throughout his tenure in the OHL.

It is legitimately impressive when star players can be effective checkers and fight through all the physicality without taking themselves out of the play and hurting their team with retaliatory penalties. Suzuki stands a very good chance of winning multiple Lady Byng trophies over the course of his career.

I agree. I don't see Suzuki as being soft. From what I have seen he competes hard on the puck. He's not going check you through the boards tough. But he displays a tough mentality to me to his skill set.

 

[HanSolo]

I do love some MaxPac but I've gotten pretty annoyed at the Suzuki add on that trade.

Also Suzuki has proven me wrong to an extent. I never ruled out his ability to be an effective player but he did strike me as a kid who was gravitating to the perimeter a bit much and looked afraid of moving the puck through traffic. At least when playing in the Vegas system. He's looking to be on great track to hit his potential.

 

[HOPE]

I do love some MaxPac but I've gotten pretty annoyed at the Suzuki add on that trade.

Also Suzuki has proven me wrong to an extent. I never ruled out his ability to be an effective player but he did strike me as a kid who was gravitating to the perimeter a bit much and looked afraid of moving the puck through traffic. At least when playing in the Vegas system. He's looking to be on great track to hit his potential.

the add? he was the main piece lol.

 

[Wats]

the add? he was the main piece lol.

Agreed. Tatar had 45, 46, 34 point seasons coming to Montreal. No way he had more value than Suzuki at the time of the trade.

 

[HanSolo]

the add? he was the main piece lol.

True. I guess when I said that I meant that ideally if Vegas felt they had to chase Pacioretty they should've found a different way to do it.

Peyton Krebs seems like he could be a similar talent to Suzuki but Nick has started to prove himself in the NHL now. It'll be years before Vegas can say that they managed to replace Suzuki in house.

 

[HOPE]

True. I guess when I said that I meant that ideally if Vegas felt they had to chase Pacioretty they should've found a different way to do it.

Peyton Krebs seems like he could be a similar talent to Suzuki but Nick has started to prove himself in the NHL now. It'll be years before Vegas can say that they managed to replace Suzuki in house.

i remember having an argument with you post trade, where you were denying me how good Suzuki was and how he would translate, you're answering your own question, your organisation thought the same. High IQ Player will always find a way to be effective players despite having little defiencies (acceleration in Suzuki's case)

now imagine Vegas giving up Krebs for Petry, they aren't afraid to move top prospect for a cup run.

 

[HanSolo]

i remember having an argument with you post trade, where you were denying me how good Suzuki was and how he would translate, you're answering your own question, your organisation thought the same. High IQ Player will always find a way to be effective players despite having little defiencies (acceleration in Suzuki's case)

now imagine Vegas giving up Krebs for Petry, they aren't afraid to move top prospect for a cup run.

I didn't say Suzuki's game couldn't translate. I said that based on the way he played under my own personal observation through camps and the few junior games I watched him play, it seemed to me that it would be more difficult for his game to translate, particularly to the center position, than Cody Glass whose playstyle imo was always the safer bet to translate at the pro level, hence why I believed the VGK felt Suzuki was more expendable in trade than Glass. But I never said that Suzuki couldn't make it.

As for Krebs, I think with Gallant's botched development "efforts" and two significant injuries to Cody Glass I would think that Vegas is probably done trading top prospects for a while. They don't have the cap space to chase big pieces anymore anyway.