Player Discussion Nick Suzuki Game Winning Goals Edition

08 Plekanec is closer to Suzuki than he is to Cole or Slaf.

We can debate which player had more naturally talented linemates which would be more inclined to boost point totals, but my intention was only to show that kovalev put up top 10 numbers without riding the offensive coat tails of someone else.

I was a big fan of plekanec, BTW.
 
"Je serais prêt à donner un jeune joueur comme Nick Suzuki pour aller le chercher (Simmonds). Parce que Suzuki, tu vas en avoir des Suzuki dans l'équipe du Canadien. Suzuki c'est comme Byron, Suzuki c'est un petit attaquant qui est bon passeur mais t'as Kotkaniemi qui et là et t'as Lehkonen..."
- Norman Flynn
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We can debate which player had more naturally talented linemates which would be more inclined to boost point totals, but my intention was only to show that kovalev put up top 10 numbers without riding the offensive coat tails of someone else.

I was a big fan of plekanec, BTW.
But neither does Suzukik, in fact, I think he's hurt a lot more by his linemate than Kovalev was at the time.
 
But neither does Suzukik, in fact, I think he's hurt a lot more by his linemate than Kovalev was at the time
Again, the point was to show that he put up those numbers without Mario, or jagr. Even if it wasn't his highest point season, I think that was the best season he ever had, and it remains to me the best offensive season that I've seen from a Habs player since I started following the team.

Nobody could take the puck away from him that year, and he carried it to the post season that year too.
 
Again, the point was to show that he put up those numbers without Mario, or jagr. Even if it wasn't his highest point season, I think that was the best season he ever had, and it remains to me the best offensive season that I've seen from a Habs player since I started following the team.

Nobody could take the puck away from him that year, and he carried it to the post season that year too.
I'd agree if it wasn't for Suzuki. He completely clutch and more dominant than Kovy was IMO. What I remember the most from that year were the half-board snipes.
 
But neither does Suzukik, in fact, I think he's hurt a lot more by his linemate than Kovalev was at the time.
This simply isn't true. Suzuki's playing with CC and Slaf. Two really good players who you consistently trash. Not to mention Hutson who's been phenomenal. Full marks to Suzuki as he's really stepped up down the stretch but the idea that he's not playing with anyone is ridiculous.
 
We can debate which player had more naturally talented linemates which would be more inclined to boost point totals, but my intention was only to show that kovalev put up top 10 numbers without riding the offensive coat tails of someone else.

I was a big fan of plekanec, BTW.
‘08 even strength:
Kovalev: 35 pts
Plekanec: 41 pts

‘25 even strength:
Suzuki: 51 pts, so far.
 
This simply isn't true. Suzuki's playing with CC and Slaf. Two really good players who you consistently trash. Not to mention Hutson who's been phenomenal. Full marks to Suzuki as he's really stepped up down the stretch but the idea that he's not playing with anyone is ridiculous.
Not Hutson, of course, but his wingers, especially Slaf have been, at times, pretty dog poo. Compared to his peers, has weak wingers. It's not about trashing them, its about knowing where they stand. I don't fall in love with players, I fall in love with their play, something that clearly isn't true for most people, as people tend to struggle A LOT with being objective. Going around the league and comparing Suzukis linemate to his peers, he's clearly on the lower end.
 
Not Hutson, of course, but his wingers, especially Slaf have been, at times, pretty dog poo. Compared to his peers, has weak wingers. It's not about trashing them, its about knowing where they stand. I don't fall in love with players, I fall in love with their play, something that clearly isn't true for most people, as people tend to struggle A LOT with being objective. Going around the league and comparing Suzukis linemate to his peers, he's clearly on the lower end.
Caufield was our best player going into 4 Nations. He had a fantastic first half. Slaf hasn't been great but he hasn't been bad either. And Huston is just on another level entirely. And let's also not forget that Laine has been the best PP man in the league since he's joined.

Full credit to Suzuki down the stretch. For the 2nd year in a row he's been among the best players in the NHL in March/April. He (and Hutson) have started carrying the team. But he was good but not great earlier this season. Able to get points because that's what good players do but he wasn't anywhere near what he is now. Credit where credit is due, it's a long season.
 
Caufield was our best player going into 4 Nations. He had a fantastic first half. Slaf hasn't been great but he hasn't been bad either. And Huston is just on another level entirely. And let's also not forget that Laine has been the best PP man in the league since he's joined.

Full credit to Suzuki down the stretch. For the 2nd year in a row he's been among the best players in the NHL in March/April. He (and Hutson) have started carrying the team. But he was good but not great earlier this season. Able to get points because that's what good players do but he wasn't anywhere near what he is now. Credit where credit is due, it's a long season.
No he was not. Suzuki has been the Habs best player all year, full stop. Nick had more points, was more consistent, had better underlyings and was of course miles above him defensively.

Also, Cole had something like 2 points in 8 games before going to the 4-nations, not sure where that comes from but of course, I'd expect you to spin the wheels of "Suzuki isn't that good" as you've been doing for the past half-decade now.

So much easier to just admit you were wrong.
 
No he was not. Suzuki has been the Habs best player all year, full stop. Nick had more points, was more consistent, had better underlyings and was of course miles above him defensively.

Also, Cole had something like 2 points in 8 games before going to the 4-nations, not sure where that comes from but of course, I'd expect you to spin the wheels of "Suzuki isn't that good" as you've been doing for the past half-decade now.

So much easier to just admit you were wrong.
Nah dude, Caufield was terrific. I know it's hard for you to admit this given how you wanted us to deal him away last year and compared him to scrubs. But he was absolutely electric and scored a crap ton of goals. The idea that Suzuki doesn't have anyone to play with is an absolute falsehood.

By all means give him credit. Great season and he's carrying us on his back now. But he's had help. This isn't Therrien's Habs. We actually have guys who can play.

I told you this rebuild was going to work. Here you go. This is just the beginning.
 
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Nah dude, Caufield was terrific. I know it's hard for you to admit this given how you wanted us to deal him away last year and compared him to scrubs. But he was absolutely electric and scored a crap ton of goals. The idea that Suzuki doesn't have anyone to play with is an absolute falsehood.

By all means give him credit. Great season and he's carrying us on his back now. But he's had help. This isn't Therrien's Habs. We actually have guys who can play.

I told you this rebuild was going to work. Here you go. This is just the beginning.
I mean, go ahead and compare for yourself with other top teams and you'll see that Caufield and especially Slaf, just doesn't measure up.
 
I mean, go ahead and compare for yourself with other top teams and you'll see that Caufield and especially Slaf, just doesn't measure up.
Caufield's been top ten in goals almost all year long. He's slipped lately but again, going into 4 Nations he was this teams' best player this season. Zero to complain about there. Even now he's 12th.

Slaf is an up and coming player. Had some injury issues earlier and his play dipped but he's still pacing for 54/82. Very respectable. Laine is the best PP man in the league and Laine Hutson is probably going to crack 70 points. That's way better than what Kovalev had.

That doesn't mean I'd take Kovalev over Suzuki btw. Kovalev was one of the most talented players ever but he wasn't consistent enough. At any given moment he could be the best player on the ice but then he'd just go to sleep... 84 points was kind of a fluke year for him with us. I don't think this will be a fluke season for Nick.

The idea that Suzuki's had nobody to work with is flat out false. But it's absolutely true that he's put us on his back the past few weeks. Hutson as well.
 
No he was not. Suzuki has been the Habs best player all year, full stop. Nick had more points, was more consistent, had better underlyings and was of course miles above him defensively.

Also, Cole had something like 2 points in 8 games before going to the 4-nations, not sure where that comes from but of course, I'd expect you to spin the wheels of "Suzuki isn't that good" as you've been doing for the past half-decade now.

So much easier to just admit you were wrong.
I watched plenty in the first half and Caufield was easily our most dynamic forward offensively many a night. Endlessly creating when Suzuki was creating less so. I remember CC and Newhook were speeding everywhere when Hook was on the first line.

You dug your heels against Caufield after you wanted Newhook so badly. Though honestly, I like Newhook now and I’m willing to give him prime opportunities next year.

Caufield’s been a bit streaky but he’s been pretty brilliant most of the year. Displaying everything you said he would never be able to do last year. Hands, playmaking, defense. I don’t think he’s done yet by any means.
 
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I'd agree if it wasn't for Suzuki. He completely clutch and more dominant than Kovy was IMO. What I remember the most from that year were the half-board snipes.

I remember his hair flying (lol) and making chara his bitch all year. 8-0 against the bruins that year in regular season. Absolute cheat code who was on a mission after a terrible 06/07 campaign .

The half board snipers were on the PP. That was the best PP I have ever seen since I started following this team in the 90s. It was funny seeing guys trying to get the puck off of him.
 
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Caufield's been top ten in goals almost all year long. He's slipped lately but again, going into 4 Nations he was this teams' best player this season. Zero to complain about there. Even now he's 12th.

Slaf is an up and coming player. Had some injury issues earlier and his play dipped but he's still pacing for 54/82. Very respectable. Laine is the best PP man in the league and Laine Hutson is probably going to crack 70 points. That's way better than what Kovalev had.

That doesn't mean I'd take Kovalev over Suzuki btw. Kovalev was one of the most talented players ever but he wasn't consistent enough. At any given moment he could be the best player on the ice but then he'd just go to sleep... 84 points was kind of a fluke year for him with us. I don't think this will be a fluke season for Nick.

The idea that Suzuki's had nobody to work with is flat out false. But it's absolutely true that he's put us on his back the past few weeks. Hutson as well.
Its not about having "nobody", its about having lesser players than his contemporaries.

Connor, Ehlers, Vilardi.
Ovechkin, Wilson, Protas, McMichael
Robertson, Rantanen
Stone, Barbashev
Svechnikov, Rantanen/Necas, Jarvis
Nylander, Marner, Knies
Necas/Rantanen, Nichuskin
Guentzel, Kucherov, Hagel
Tkachuk, Verhaghe, Reinhart
Hyman
Kempe, Fiala

Holloway, Kyrou
Boldy, Kaprizov
Bratt, Meier
Tkachuk, Batherson
Huberdeau, Coleman
Boeser, Debrusk

Keller, Schmaltz, Guenther
Marchenko, Voronkov, Johnson,
Panarin, Lafreniere, Kreider
Raymond, Debrincat, Kane
Lee, Palmieri, Holmstrom
Terry, Vatrano, Gauthier
Rakell

Konecny, Michkov, Brink, Tippett
Thompson, Tuch, Peterka, Quinn
Pastrnak
Eberle
Forsberg
No one on the Hawks
Toffoli, Smith



Surely you can see yourself that Caufield, Slaf, Laine ranks at or near the bottom of this list ? Its not an insult, it's just a fact. He need better wingers and Suzuki hasn't had the support other top Cs have had. From what I can see, I would trade our wingers with 19 other teams in the NHL for tomorrows game, how is that good ? It means our winger depth is bottom third in the NHL.
 
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I watched plenty in the first half and Caufield was easily our most dynamic forward offensively many a night. Endlessly creating when Suzuki was creating less so. I remember CC and Newhook were speeding everywhere when Hook was on the first line.

You dug your heels against Caufield after you wanted Newhook so badly. Though honestly, I like Newhook now and I’m willing to give him prime opportunities next year.

Caufield’s been a bit streaky but he’s been pretty brilliant most of the year. Displaying everything you said he would never be able to do last year. Hands, playmaking, defense. I don’t think he’s done yet by any means.

What do you mean about Newhook ? I never said he was a better player than Caufield ? At least not since they got drafted and even then it was mostly about size rather than pure talent.

Also I never said he wouldn't be able to do any of those things, I think, I say a lot of shit though. I mostly think positively of Cole but there's a few things that annoy me, and thats why I think he's too far up the depth chart.

I'm not sure why there's such resistance when I say that Cole should be a #2 or #3 winger on a good team. He's the definition of the Matheson conundrum people have been talking about, shove him down and you'll love him even more.

I remember his hair flying (lol) and making chara his bitch all year. 8-0 against the bruins that year in regular season. Absolute cheat code who was on a mission after a terrible 06/07 campaign .

The half board snipers were on the PP. That was the best PP I have ever seen since I started following this team in the 90s. It was funny seeing guys trying to get the puck off of him.
Yeah, the PP was insane. Funny enough, I think we only finished with 26% ? It was crazy back then though. Kovy-Markov was an insane combo.
 
What do you mean about Newhook ? I never said he was a better player than Caufield ? At least not since they got drafted and even then it was mostly about size rather than pure talent.

Also I never said he wouldn't be able to do any of those things, I think, I say a lot of shit though. I mostly think positively of Cole but there's a few things that annoy me, and thats why I think he's too far up the depth chart.

I'm not sure why there's such resistance when I say that Cole should be a #2 or #3 winger on a good team. He's the definition of the Matheson conundrum people have been talking about, shove him down and you'll love him even more.


Yeah, the PP was insane. Funny enough, I think we only finished with 26% ? It was crazy back then though. Kovy-Markov was an insane combo.

Yep. So many options. You also had to worry about streit's shot from the point, and koivu was effective down low.

Going from souray to streit in that trigger role... the habs were blessed in that respect.

Goals were harder to come by back then and 26% was excellent for that era.
 
Yep. So many options. You also had to worry about streit's shot from the point, and koivu was effective down low.

Going from souray to streit in that trigger role... the habs were blessed in that respect.

Goals were harder to come by back then and 26% was excellent for that era.
Souray to Streit to Schneider to Subban, all they needed was a name starting in S, a big shot and Markov on their left.
 
Souray to Streit to Schneider to Subban, all they needed was a name starting in S, a big shot and Markov on their left.

I'd also add wisniewski to that list although he never got to play with markov.
 
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Its not about having "nobody", its about having lesser players than his contemporaries.

Connor, Ehlers, Vilardi.
Ovechkin, Wilson, Protas, McMichael
Robertson, Rantanen
Stone, Barbashev
Svechnikov, Rantanen/Necas, Jarvis
Nylander, Marner, Knies
Necas/Rantanen, Nichuskin
Guentzel, Kucherov, Hagel
Tkachuk, Verhaghe, Reinhart
Hyman
Kempe, Fiala

Holloway, Kyrou
Boldy, Kaprizov
Bratt, Meier
Tkachuk, Batherson
Huberdeau, Coleman
Boeser, Debrusk

Keller, Schmaltz, Guenther
Marchenko, Voronkov, Johnson,
Panarin, Lafreniere, Kreider
Raymond, Debrincat, Kane
Lee, Palmieri, Holmstrom
Terry, Vatrano, Gauthier
Rakell

Konecny, Michkov, Brink, Tippett
Thompson, Tuch, Peterka, Quinn
Pastrnak
Eberle
Forsberg
No one on the Hawks
Toffoli, Smith



Surely you can see yourself that Caufield, Slaf, Laine ranks at or near the bottom of this list ? Its not an insult, it's just a fact. He need better wingers and Suzuki hasn't had the support other top Cs have had. From what I can see, I would trade our wingers with 19 other teams in the NHL for tomorrows game, how is that good ? It means our winger depth is bottom third in the NHL.
I had Grok rank NHL teams by quality of wingers.

Habs were 28th. lol
 

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