Nick Suzuki has levelled up as a premier centre

[TheGreenTBer]

Bergevin was overall a stone cold moron, but goddamn he pulled off some amazing trades.

Exactly.

Some of his moves in isolation were great. But he had no coherent plan about building an entire team and it showed.

 

[BonMorrison]

Team Canada 4C at the Olympics, baby. Will be a terror to play against.

 

[Baksfamous112]

To be fair Marner did the 1st and Suzuki was pretty inconsequential in the 2nd.

He has been insanely clutch down the stretch and he did lead a SCF team in scoring though, whereas Marner seems to panic a bit in the playoffs (unforced delay of game penalties and whatnot)

Wait did I miss something? I was replying to guy asking what has Suzuki done to be called a premier center?

And he is top-8 in points for C's in the league currently while well above average defensively.

He's #7 actually. Necas isn't a center and hasn't played center in the NHL

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Wait did I miss something? I was replying to guy asking what has Suzuki done to be called a premier center?


He's #7 actually. Necas isn't a center and hasn't played center in the NHL

I think he's 8. You have to count Clayton Keller as a C. Necas is a winger.

 

[Voight]

1. Led his junior team to a memorial cup
2. Won a gold medal at the WJC
3. Led his team as a 1C to the SCF at 21 years old
4. Led his team out of the rebuilding phase

He’s not even 26 years old yet.

No he didn't. Canada finished 6th in 2019.

 

[wasup]

Yup

 

[landy]

Hes exploded since the break. Huge difference. hopefully this is the new consitency, but Id guess not

27 pts in 18 for 1.5 PPG = 123 pt pace
or
52 pts in 56 for .92 PPG = 75 pt pace

Im not trying to hate, but what is more likely? He is a ppg solid low end 1C or he is on par with MacKinnon, McDavid, Draisaitl, Kuch, and KK as the only 6 above 1.4 ppg pace this season?

 

[The Great Weal]

Hes exploded since the break. Huge difference. hopefully this is the new consitency, but Id guess not

27 pts in 18 for 1.5 PPG = 123 pt pace
or
52 pts in 56 for .92 PPG = 75 pt pace

Im not trying to hate, but what is more likely? He is a ppg solid low end 1C or he is on par with MacKinnon, McDavid, Draisaitl, Kuch, and KK as the only 6 above 1.4 ppg pace this season?

Do players between that range not exist? You're not going to find many 80-90 point centers who are high end defensively.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Hes exploded since the break. Huge difference. hopefully this is the new consitency, but Id guess not

27 pts in 18 for 1.5 PPG = 123 pt pace
or
52 pts in 56 for .92 PPG = 75 pt pace

Im not trying to hate, but what is more likely? He is a ppg solid low end 1C or he is on par with MacKinnon, McDavid, Draisaitl, Kuch, and KK as the only 6 above 1.4 ppg pace this season?

Are those the only two options?

 

[Big Trout]

Hes exploded since the break. Huge difference. hopefully this is the new consitency, but Id guess not

27 pts in 18 for 1.5 PPG = 123 pt pace
or
52 pts in 56 for .92 PPG = 75 pt pace

Im not trying to hate, but what is more likely? He is a ppg solid low end 1C or he is on par with MacKinnon, McDavid, Draisaitl, Kuch, and KK as the only 6 above 1.4 ppg pace this season?

I don't think anybody is claiming he's a top 5 or even top 10 forward in the NHL

 

[landy]

I don't think anybody is claiming he's a top 5 or even top 10 forward in the NHL

But making a thread about his recent 18 game streak where he is pacing at 1.5 ppg is claiming that without saying it because they are assuming that pace is sustainable.

And "premier center" is obviously hinting at top half of the league? Top 30%? No?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Hes exploded since the break. Huge difference. hopefully this is the new consitency, but Id guess not

27 pts in 18 for 1.5 PPG = 123 pt pace
or
52 pts in 56 for .92 PPG = 75 pt pace

Im not trying to hate, but what is more likely? He is a ppg solid low end 1C or he is on par with MacKinnon, McDavid, Draisaitl, Kuch, and KK as the only 6 above 1.4 ppg pace this season?

A low end 1C or high end 2C was a legit discussion two years ago. A lot of Montreal fans tried to claim he was a 1C before he actually was.

Now though? Come on. Last season he levelled up and he's leveling up again down the stretch. He's at least an average 1C at this point. There have been very few players who've been as good since Four Nations. He's been on a mission. Credit where it's due.

 

[landy]

A low end 1C or high end 2C was a legit discussion two years ago. A lot of Montreal fans tried to claim he was a 1C before he actually was.

Now though? Come on. Last season he levelled up and he's leveling up again down the stretch. He's at least an average 1C at this point. There have been very few players who've been as good since Four Nations. He's been on a mission. Credit where it's due.

True. As long as we put some realistic expectations on him. Hes "leveled up" year over year and I personally saw MTL as a high scoring team this year being brutal on D and G so expected some Sabres type numbers, but injuries hurt them obviously.

He was a 77 pt player last season and so mid 80s would be a nice level up. As long as people arent taking the 150 pt pace and expecting that.

 

[Big Trout]

But making a thread about his recent 18 game streak where he is pacing at 1.5 ppg is claiming that without saying it because they are assuming that pace is sustainable.

I just re-read the op and I don't see anything wrong with it lol, nobody is claiming he's as good at the top dogs in the league. He's having a great season, it's more than just 18 games.

I think most would agree he's in the 2nd tier of 1st line centers with guys like Aho, for example.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

True. As long as we put some realistic expectations on him. Hes "leveled up" year over year and I personally saw MTL as a high scoring team this year being brutal on D and G so expected some Sabres type numbers, but injuries hurt them obviously.

He was a 77 pt player last season and so mid 80s would be a nice level up. As long as people arent taking the 150 pt pace and expecting that.

Good chance he gets to 90 points this season. That's a legit number one. He's 25 and is actually improving. This was where I had his ceiling at in his prime with good teammates. I think he'll exceed this in the future. With Hutson, Caufield, Demidov and Slaf... he's got a good chance at 100 points in the next few years.

I just wish he'd use his shot more. If he did that I think he could be a 35+ goal scorer.

 

[landy]

Good chance he gets to 90 points this season. That's a legit number one. He's 25 and is actually improving. This was where I had his ceiling at in his prime with good teammates. I think he'll exceed this in the future. With Hutson, Caufield, Demidov and Slaf... he's got a good chance at 100 points in the next few years.

I just wish he'd use his shot more. If he did that I think he could be a 35+ goal scorer.

Because of a 26 game stretch. If that is the new normal, then hell yeah, but he was pacing at 75 before that. My point is, what is real?

 

[landy]

I just re-read the op and I don't see anything wrong with it lol, nobody is claiming he's as good at the top dogs in the league. He's having a great season, it's more than just 18 games.

I think most would agree he's in the 2nd tier of 1st line centers with guys like Aho, for example.

I gave the exact stats. 52 pts in 56 then 27 n 18. Obviously I dont think anyone truly believes he is a 150 point player, but making this thread only after he puts up point at that pace is signifying some unrealistic expectations. He was pacing for 75 which actually wouldve been a down year compared to last before the break.

Mittlestadt had 18 un 18 and I thought we had our 2C locked up and planning the parade with Kadri v2 only for him to fall off the earth. Basically give me a larger sample size please and Nick has next season to prove it.

 

[Zalos]

Hes exploded since the break. Huge difference. hopefully this is the new consitency, but Id guess not

27 pts in 18 for 1.5 PPG = 123 pt pace
or
52 pts in 56 for .92 PPG = 75 pt pace

Im not trying to hate, but what is more likely? He is a ppg solid low end 1C or he is on par with MacKinnon, McDavid, Draisaitl, Kuch, and KK as the only 6 above 1.4 ppg pace this season?

I think what is most likely to happen is that once Montreal's roster fills up and becomes a contender, he'll be getting 85-90 points per season and give us really good defensive play. I also expect him to get more shorthanded ice time eventually.

Nobody is comparing Suzuki to 100+ points players.

 

[Big Trout]

I gave the exact stats. 52 pts in 56 then 27 n 18. Obviously I dont think anyone truly believes he is a 150 point player, but making this thread only after he puts up point at that pace is signifying some unrealistic expectations. He was pacing for 75 which actually wouldve been a down year compared to last before the break.

Mittlestadt had 18 un 18 and I thought we had our 2C locked up and planning the parade with Kadri v2 only for him to fall off the earth. Basically give me a larger sample size please and Nick has next season to prove it.

I get your point, Suzuki didn't have much to work with in his earlier carreer but he's been leading his team in points by a significant margin for a couple years now.

I personally think he'll be a 85-90 pts player going forward with a good supporting cast.

Good players usually need good players to produce at their potential, and Hutson has completely changed the dynamic of the team.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Because of a 26 game stretch. If that is the new normal, then hell yeah, but he was pacing at 75 before that. My point is, what is real?

He's consistently improved over the years. Two years ago I said he'd have to prove it to be considered a number one. That's exactly what he's done. Players go hot and cold within a season and Suzuki's streakier than most but at the end of the day he was close to a point per game last year and will exceed it this season. He's improved every year and shows no sign of slowing down. He's a legit number one.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think what is most likely to happen is that once Montreal's roster fills up and becomes a contender, he'll be getting 85-90 points per season and give us really good defensive play. I also expect him to get more shorthanded ice time eventually.

Nobody is comparing Suzuki to 100+ points players.

The improved linemates will definitely help. Credit to the player though, it's not just a result of linemates/teammates. He's definitely improved his play. In the first half I'd have put Caufield ahead of him. But down the stretch he's put the team on his back. He's been outstanding and it's the 2nd season in a row he's done this. Last night was incredibly clutch.

 

[DJN21]

Hes burgeoning so hard its might steal some burgeoning from Hutson and demigod....

 

[landy]

The improved linemates will definitely help. Credit to the player though, it's not just a result of linemates/teammates. He's definitely improved his play. In the first half I'd have put Caufield ahead of him. But down the stretch he's put the team on his back. He's been outstanding and it's the 2nd season in a row he's done this. Last night was incredibly clutch.

I thought they had their top 6 locked up. Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Laine, Dach, ?. Anderson obviously is a fail and has buyout potential. Newhook isnt a 2C. I still think Suzuki is your 2C, but obv need a holy crap 1C to come in. EP40 maybe? Huston and Monty are great. Honestly team is looking up for once.

 

[Big Trout]

I thought they had their top 6 locked up. Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Laine, Dach, ?. Anderson obviously is a fail has a buyout potential. Newhook isnt a 2C. I still think Suzuki is your 2C, but obv need a holy crap 1C to come in. EP40 maybe? Huston and Monty are great. Honestly team is looking up for once.

Anderson's a solid bottom 6 player, his contract is a bit rich but he brings a lot this season so no chance they consider a buy out.

Demidov is the real wild card for the top 6, doubt we extend Laine as he bring very little other than his PP one timer

 

[landy]

Anderson's a solid bottom 6 player, his contract is a bit rich but he brings a lot this season so no chance they consider a buy out.

Demidov is the real wild card for the top 6, doubt we extend Laine as he bring very little other than his PP one timer

Still doesnt scream contender yet. That 1C spot is what could do it for this team. Yeah Laine is a big meh. Some holes here still to be a contender.