Player Discussion Nick Suzuki Part 11

[Lafleurs Guy]

He hasn’t missed a game since he started in the NHL, I hope if he has a naggin injury he learned the right thing from Monahan / Weber (don’t be dumb and play injured).

If he's injured, he should sit. He's not helping us right now.

I don't think he's hurt. I think the Monahan injury put a lot on him and he's overwhelmed. But he needs to step it up. He's our number one center. I don't mind a slump and sometimes that's the way it goes. But you can't vanish like this and call yourself a number one center. I'm not expecting superstar numbers and it's a tough assignment but he's been invisible and that's not acceptable at this stage.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

He's struggling right now and it was to be expected.

Dach was on fire now his back to his 3rd line behiavors
The powerplay is beyond putrid so he get less points
Suzuki is kinda alone at the center for any offense , teams are starting to know his pattern and just counter him because they know they have nobody else dangerous with Caufield to stop.

Still has 31 points in 36 games.

Monahan has been missing for 10 games and he's still our 4th best player in points.

The team just sucks , other teams simply dont give a shit about our 3 other lines.

It was expected after the easy schedule we had. Suzuki and Caufield can't do everything.

Suzuki is far from perfect but he's by far not the reason why they struggle so much.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He's struggling right now and it was to be expected.

Dach was on fire now his back to his 3rd line behiavors
The powerplay is beyond putrid so he get less points
Suzuki is kinda alone at the center for any offense , teams are starting to know his pattern and just counter him because they know they have nobody else dangerous with Caufield to stop.

Still has 31 points in 36 games.

Monahan has been missing for 10 games and he's still our 4th best player in points.

The team just sucks , other teams simply dont give a shit about our 3 other lines.

It was expected after the easy schedule we had. Suzuki and Caufield can't do everything.

Suzuki is far from perfect but he's by far not the reason why they struggle so much.

I don't expect him to do everything. But I do expect him to do something.

You can't vanish like this and call yourself a number one. If he's injured, he should sit and heal. I don't think he's injured.

 

[admiralcadillac]

These games suck to watch but the tank is on. I feel Sadomasochistic.

 

[Miller Time]

Funny how quickly some go from intense praise to intense criticism...

Context isn't a part of real life for some I suppose.

Best #1C we've had in a long time, 23 yrs old, well on track for yet another positive progression season. La vie est Belle!

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

I don't expect him to do everything. But I do expect him to do something.

You can't vanish like this and call yourself a number one. If he's injured, he should sit and heal. I don't think he's injured.

I agree it's been horrible in the last 7-8 games but like I said , nobody else has been good maybe except the goalies in a couple of those games. We are playing like last year , minus our goalies are saving our face sometimes.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

My guess is, he's burnt out. His ice time was getting out of control in late November/early December, which included some games at 25/26 minutes which is ridiculous for a forward.

We have also had a brutal travel schedule which included the West Coast trip in Canada and now games all across the States which doesn't help.

Normally when top line guys cool off, some secondary scoring helps alleviate the pressure. However this team has next to no secondary scoring from its 2nd to 4th lines or PP so when Suzuki/Caufield aren't scoring it is more magnified.

Most of January will be spent at home, so I expect Suzuki will bounce back come January.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Funny how quickly some go from intense praise to intense criticism...

Context isn't a part of real life for some I suppose.

Best #1C we've had in a long time, 23 yrs old, well on track for yet another positive progression season. La vie est Belle!

I haven't seen intense criticism of him anywhere. Everyone knows it's a tough assignment and with Monahan going down a lot has been put on his shoulders.

But he has really disappeared. It's not throwing him under a bus to say so. He's supposed to be our number one center. This is where you prove it.

Short sample size, could be injured, he's still young, it could be a slump etc... yes. All these are true. But he may not be as good as we thought he was. It's one thing to hit posts or get snakebit. That happens to all players. But this guy has gone away entirely.

I don't think it's 'intense criticism' to say that he needs to step it up.

 

[Miller Time]

I haven't seen intense criticism of him anywhere. Everyone knows it's a tough assignment and with Monahan going down a lot has been put on his shoulders.

But he has really disappeared. It's not throwing him under a bus to say so. He's supposed to be our number one center. This is where you prove it.

Short sample size, could be injured, he's still young, it could be a slump etc... yes. All these are true. But he may not be as good as we thought he was. It's one thing to hit posts or get snakebit. That happens to all players. But this guy has gone away entirely.

I don't think it's 'intense criticism' to say that he needs to step it up.

Ignoring context leads to these kinds of sentiments...

While I certainly agree that it would be nice for him to be able to carry this squad even more than he has this far this season... I just think it's silly to exaggerate how meaningful his slump of late is as far as his credibility as a #1C.

Few players don't experience rough stretches during the year, fewer still that have zero veteran support, fewer still that play with a dcorps of rookies, fewer still that are this early in their career....

Your posts lately in this thread are unecessarily hyperbolic. Either the expectations were way overblown, or the assessment frame applied completely ignores the context of the situation. Hockey is not an individual sport, the Habs have iced perhaps the weakest d group in the league the past few weeks, to go with a forward group where Dvorak is, by a wide margin, the best active skater over 25...

The season Suzuki has had this far, cold stretch included, only cements him as a #1C. Imagine what he would, and will, be able to do once MBs roster carnage is further set adrift.

Patience & perspective dude, enjoy having this player/asset in place, we haven't anything like him since Saku pre-knee injury

 

[NORiculous]

This is the main reason I wanted to wait before giving Suzuki the C. There was no rush giving him the C and Edmundson could have took the weight for this transition year, which we all knew would be hard.

But what is done is done. It’s hard to lead a crapy team.

He has disappeared though and to me that only confirms that this team needs a guy like Bedard.

When Suzuki gets trough this, he will be tougher and a better leader. Maybe it’s a good thing after all.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

He's struggling right now and it was to be expected.

Dach was on fire now his back to his 3rd line behiavors
The powerplay is beyond putrid so he get less points
Suzuki is kinda alone at the center for any offense , teams are starting to know his pattern and just counter him because they know they have nobody else dangerous with Caufield to stop.

Still has 31 points in 36 games.

Monahan has been missing for 10 games and he's still our 4th best player in points.

The team just sucks , other teams simply dont give a shit about our 3 other lines.

It was expected after the easy schedule we had. Suzuki and Caufield can't do everything.

Suzuki is far from perfect but he's by far not the reason why they struggle so much.

I also suspect the high number of road games as of late aren’t helping with the matchups as well

 

[salbutera]

I would only point out Suzuki’s on pace for 70pts which ROR has only achieved once during his career , Bergeron 3x, Toews 2x, Horvat 0-times etc…

Herein another player to manage expectations on…

 

[Doc McKenna]

He's struggling right now and it was to be expected.

Dach was on fire now his back to his 3rd line behiavors
The powerplay is beyond putrid so he get less points
Suzuki is kinda alone at the center for any offense , teams are starting to know his pattern and just counter him because they know they have nobody else dangerous with Caufield to stop.

Still has 31 points in 36 games.

Monahan has been missing for 10 games and he's still our 4th best player in points.

The team just sucks , other teams simply dont give a shit about our 3 other lines.

It was expected after the easy schedule we had. Suzuki and Caufield can't do everything.

Suzuki is far from perfect but he's by far not the reason why they struggle so much.

Feels like Koivu all over.

 

[sandviper]

Monahan has been missing for 10 games and he's still our 4th best player in points.

SMH…

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Ignoring context leads to these kinds of sentiments...

While I certainly agree that it would be nice for him to be able to carry this squad even more than he has this far this season... I just think it's silly to exaggerate how meaningful his slump of late is as far as his credibility as a #1C.

Few players don't experience rough stretches during the year, fewer still that have zero veteran support, fewer still that play with a dcorps of rookies, fewer still that are this early in their career....

Your posts lately in this thread are unecessarily hyperbolic. Either the expectations were way overblown, or the assessment frame applied completely ignores the context of the situation. Hockey is not an individual sport, the Habs have iced perhaps the weakest d group in the league the past few weeks, to go with a forward group where Dvorak is, by a wide margin, the best active skater over 25...

The season Suzuki has had this far, cold stretch included, only cements him as a #1C. Imagine what he would, and will, be able to do once MBs roster carnage is further set adrift.

Patience & perspective dude, enjoy having this player/asset in place, we haven't anything like him since Saku pre-knee injury

What have I said other than he needs to step up? That’s what number one centers are supposed to do.

I’m not writing him off. But the reality is that he’s still somewhat unproven. These are the times where you expect a number one to produce.

Yes, slumps happen. And maybe he’s hurt - we don’t know. But his play is disappointing and I don’t think there’s anything hyperbolic in saying so.

 

[Andrei79]

He had a cold streak the around the same period last year.

 

[The Great Weal]

Not worried about him. I could still see him finish with like 80 points. He has started off hot then cooled off halfway then tore it up again for a couple seasons now. They should cut down his PK time though.

 

[Miller Time]

What have I said other than he needs to step up? That’s what number one centers are supposed to do.

I’m not writing him off. But the reality is that he’s still somewhat unproven. These are the times where you expect a number one to produce.

Yes, slumps happen. And maybe he’s hurt - we don’t know. But his play is disappointing and I don’t think there’s anything hyperbolic in saying so.

Different perspectives...

Being disappointed means you expected significantly more than he's shown thus far. Considering the context, I'd say those expectations were unrealistic.

He's proven a heck of a lot thus far, solid #1C with lots of room to grow. Let alone if he gets a chance to play on a contender level roster.

 

[SOLR]

I don't expect him to do everything. But I do expect him to do something.

You can't vanish like this and call yourself a number one. If he's injured, he should sit and heal. I don't think he's injured.

He's not calling himself a number 1, he's likely to become a #2 center in the best of world where we are contending.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Different perspectives...

Being disappointed means you expected significantly more than he's shown thus far. Considering the context, I'd say those expectations were unrealistic.

He's proven a heck of a lot thus far, solid #1C with lots of room to grow. Let alone if he gets a chance to play on a contender level roster.

I’m disappointed in how he’s played the last month. I’m not sure how you wouldn’t be.

Is he beyond criticism now?

Look, he’s supposed to be the guy at center. He can’t just go away like this. If he does then he’s not a legit number one.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He's not calling himself a number 1, he's likely to become a #2 center in the best of world where we are contending.

That could be the case.

He’s got talent. Has shown flashes of being great even. But consistency is required for the job. He hasn’t shown it yet. I thought this would be the year….

 

[Nicko999]

Different perspectives...

Being disappointed means you expected significantly more than he's shown thus far. Considering the context, I'd say those expectations were unrealistic.

He's proven a heck of a lot thus far, solid #1C with lots of room to grow. Let alone if he gets a chance to play on a contender level roster.

He has proven he a #2C.

We don't have a #1C.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He has proven he a #2C.

We don't have a #1C.

I think he’s got the talent. Consistency isn’t there yet.

 

[Miller Time]

He has proven he a #2C.

We don't have a #1C.

Nonsense.

Name 30 C in the league today better than Suzuki, right now...

He was at top 10 C in the league level before his rough stretch, to suggest he isn't a #1C is just silly unless McDavid is the standard you're operating from.

I’m disappointed in how he’s played the last month. I’m not sure how you wouldn’t be.

Is he beyond criticism now?

Look, he’s supposed to be the guy at center. He can’t just go away like this. If he does then he’s not a legit number one.

Because I have realistic expectations & appreciate that being 23 & that the quality of roster needs to be factored into any assessment of a player's performance

Criticism is fine. Bad assessments are bad assessments. Let's not conflate the two.

 

[Benstheman]

He is gazed and Habs are a 1 trick pony team offensively. I am not worried. Not at all.