Player Discussion Nick Suzuki Part 11

[Mrb1p]

Well your criteria means a there's just 15 number one center. If you go by pace, it's 3 years. 2002-2003 wasn't a shortened season.

Suzuki is currently 18th in scoring pace.

16th actually. Hes clearly a top 20 C

 

[Rapala]

Congrats on a quiet 20 Nick. Not many thought you'd be our first forward there this season.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Congrats on a quiet 20 Nick. Not many thought you'd be our first forward there this season.

It's awesome that he has 20 this early.

It's not awesome that he's the first on our team to do it this season. No way that I'd have believed you if you told me CC would be below 20 by Valentine's day.

 

[Mrb1p]

16th actually. Hes clearly a top 20 C

13th in scoring for centers.

Not a true 1C tho, hes an ideal 2C on a contending team, maybe even 3C.

 

[The Great Weal]

13th in scoring for centers.

Not a true 1C tho, hes an ideal 2C on a contending team, maybe even 3C.

Let’s not forget that we’d much rather have Dylan Cozens since competent linemates are a myth

 

[KevSkillz4]

To me Suzuki is a really really good 1C. He have all things expect the size like Dach that you want in a 1C. Same size than Crosby soo.

High IQ offensive and defensive.
Great hands.
Great shot. (He can easily become a 30 goalscorer per season If he really want).
Great playmaking ability.
Great mature two-way game.
Great skating aswell (soo much better than his draft year, that's the only thing I don't like from him as a prospect).

Pace this year: 79 pts in 82 games in a rebuild team.

Imagine when Habs will be better, this guy can easily put many season of 30g, 50a. He can do that. With his two-way ability?!?! That's really really good.

 

[Habssince89]

To me Suzuki is a really really good 1C. He have all things expect the size like Dach that you want in a 1C. Same size than Crosby soo.

High IQ offensive and defensive.
Great hands.
Great shot. (He can easily become a 30 goalscorer per season If he really want).
Great playmaking ability.
Great mature two-way game.
Great skating aswell (soo much better than his draft year, that's the only thing I don't like from him as a prospect).

Pace this year: 79 pts in 82 games in a rebuild team.

Imagine when Habs will be better, this guy can easily put many season of 30g, 50a. He can do that. With his two-way ability?!?! That's really really good.

He has all the tools but the thing that stirs the drink is his poise. He's so good at not panicking with the puck and that's why he capitalizes on turnovers so well. He's an excellent choice to wear the C.

 

[Mrb1p]

He has all the tools but the thing that stirs the drink is his poise. He's so good at not panicking with the puck and that's why he capitalizes on turnovers so well. He's an excellent choice to wear the C.

Him and Guhle are a breath of fresh air with the lack of leadership this team has had since the departure of Weber and the early 10's.

None of that "P'tit guerrier" bull shit.

 

[Seb]

Seeing Suzuki with Caufield and Slafkovsky makes me sad we didn't get the chance to see Koivu surrounded by actual good players.

It would've been beautiful.

 

[BLONG7]

It's awesome that he has 20 this early.

It's not awesome that he's the first on our team to do it this season. No way that I'd have believed you if you told me CC would be below 20 by Valentine's day.

Thinking CC has been snake bit somewhat............not sure, but think his shooting % is way off.
Would be great to see them both hit 30 this season..............there is zero pressure on the team at this point..............
I will also mention both NS and CC are also playing a more complete 200ft game

13th in scoring for centers.

Not a true 1C tho, hes an ideal 2C on a contending team, maybe even 3C.

Slaf, has helped that narrative become a myth eh......
NS is a complete package......and a true quiet leader.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

He looks revitalized after the all star break, same as last year. Playing with the all stars just boosts his confidence.

Iron sharpens iron they say. He’s been a great leader for this young team even while being in the basement. He deserves to play with the elite as a reminder of where he wants to bring our boys.

He was pretty awesome. He’d produce around a point per game and pace for around 30 goals. He’d also tilt the ice the way Bergeron did. He was physical, drove the play, played D and produced offensively. He was a beast. He was a more physical Bergeron with better offense.

You’re literally describing Nick. He will fit in exactly their mould. And I love it!

Caufield has had a poor year. I don’t think there is an excuse. Does he need one? Can’t we just say he had a bad year? Or do we have to find an excuse for him? Why do we need to look for excuses?

Up until now he’s been Uber consistent. This year he wasn’t. When I see a player who puts up 48 goals in his first 82 under MSL including part of his rookie year, that gives me faith that he can score at an elite level. He’s proven that he can do it. He’s been elite his whole life. And so I epxoect him to produce. He didn’t do that this year.

I can give him a mulligan because the underlying numbers are good and I expect him to produce again next year. But if he doesn’t? If hes healthy and puts up 25 goals next year do you think I’ll argue that he’s an elite winger going forward? I’m telling you now, I won’t. Top players are CONSISTENT. You can have on off year but if you aren’t consistently putting up great numbers then I don’t see how you can argue yourself to be elite. I think CC has elite talent but like any player - he has to prove it.

Same thing with Suzuki. I expected him to produce more than he has. To date he hasn’t done it. So my expectations on him have fallen. I’m hopeful that he can find the next gear and maybe this is it. Maybe Slaf has helped him find it - I don’t really care if he’s leeching points off another player or not. But if you want to be a first line center produce like one.

Suzuki is having a career year leading the hottest line in hockey. Nick was always capable of reaching that next year… he just needed healthy linemates. Look at how many wingers he had in the last two years. While putting up 20 g/60pt seasons in a bottom feeding team. The kids a stud. We’re lucky

 

[Team_Spirit]

This guy is supporting Suzuki from Taiwan

 

[Pure Laine]

HF Boards, the land where there's about 10 1st line centers league-wide.

 

[Mrb1p]

HF Boards, the land where there's about 10 1st line centers league-wide.

Wake up babe TRG just posted on HF after 3 years

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Seeing Suzuki with Caufield and Slafkovsky makes me sad we didn't get the chance to see Koivu surrounded by actual good players.

It would've been beautiful.

Instead Koivu spent his last few games here playing with Georges ****ing Laraque before not getting re-signed

 

[Seb]

Instead Koivu spent his last few games here playing with Georges ****ing Laraque before not getting re-signed

What a tragedy.

 

[The Great Weal]

Most underappreciated Hab in recent memory. Guy flat out dominates so much yet "he's not consistent and needs to depend on linemates; Caufield is better; Dach will be a better center when healthy; he's a 2C on a good team...etc".

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Most underappreciated Hab in recent memory. Guy flat out dominates so much yet "he's not consistent and needs to depend on linemates; Caufield is better; Dach will be a better center when healthy; he's a 2C on a good team...etc".

He’s playing great hockey. Awesome season.

That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been inconsistent throughout his career. Evrryone is hoping he crushes it. But it doesn’t mean he’s been awesome all along.

When he plays like this he’s a fantastic player. Even the game from the other night where he got no points he played well. The other gear has been there but it’s only shown itself in streaks. If he plays like this from now on then there will be no dispute.

He has to play like this consistently though. It can’t be spurts hot and cold.

 

[Mrb1p]

Most underappreciated Hab in recent memory. Guy flat out dominates so much yet "he's not consistent and needs to depend on linemates; Caufield is better; Dach will be a better center when healthy; he's a 2C on a good team...etc".

Id say thats gonna be Price for the rest of eternity but him and Guhle are closed 2nds, yes. Absolute beauties.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

He’s making those that voted CC in the CC vs NZ poll look pretty silly atm. To me, Nick has always been a true number one.

He’s almost a ppg on this mess of a team.

 

[Ozmodiar]

He’s making those that voted CC in the CC vs NZ poll look pretty silly atm. To me, Nick has always been a true number one.

He’s almost a ppg on this mess of a team.

This one with a 90% Suzuki vote?

Suzuki vs Caufield - Pick one to build with

The Habs finally have a couple of great up and coming offensive players coming up. Suzuki and Caufield are both exciting young players. This debate has popped up in a player discussion thread and I thought it was an interesting enough discussion to have its own thread. So, if you had to...

forums.hfboards.com

Although this one is even more lopsided …
Suzuki: 65 votes
CC: 1 vote

Suzuki or Caufield to start a franchise?

Some Habs fans think Caufield is more valuable to the team than Suzuki so this is just to get an out-of-town opinion on the matter.

forums.hfboards.com

 

[Benstheman]

Some are better number once centers than others. Is Suzuki a number one? Sure. But he’s been a poor man’s number one. Same as Koivu was.

The Montreal Canadiens have had number one centers who are near the bottom since forever now. It’s been a huge weakness that’s killed us.

As I said, at 24, Suzuki still has time to level up. My hope is that this is more than just a streak and it’s an actual step forward in his career.

If not, then we either need a new number one or really good wingers. If we have that then hopefully Nick and Dach can carry the load.

It is in line with his offensive production curve since entering the league. I'm not worried he will be a regular ppg center in the NHL.

That being said, he will never be an elite center prodcution wise. But he certanly can become one of the top 2-way center in the league ala Kopitar/Barkov. And he is very durable.

 

[Benstheman]

He’s playing great hockey. Awesome season.

That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been inconsistent throughout his career. Evrryone is hoping he crushes it. But it doesn’t mean he’s been awesome all along.

When he plays like this he’s a fantastic player. Even the game from the other night where he got no points he played well. The other gear has been there but it’s only shown itself in streaks. If he plays like this from now on then there will be no dispute.

He has to play like this consistently though. It can’t be spurts hot and cold.

Yeah. Consistency will come with less TOI, when the team is more complete. Right now, he plays too much and never misses games, which is impressive but it really isn't far fetched to think that he sometimes play with injuries that would normally get a player to sit. That may explains those spurts you are talking about.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He’s making those that voted CC in the CC vs NZ poll look pretty silly atm. To me, Nick has always been a true number one.

He’s almost a ppg on this mess of a team.

Suzuki has been flat out better this year. Our best and most consistent.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It is in line with his offensive production curve since entering the league. I'm not worried he will be a regular ppg center in the NHL.

Ability is there. Consistency has not. We’ll see. But since the all star break he’s been awesome. Even in games where he hasn’t scored.

That being said, he will never be an elite center prodcution wise. But he certanly can become one of the top 2-way center in the league ala Kopitar/Barkov. And he is very durable.

His analytics are interesting. Raw numbers don’t seem great but th team sucks. His relational numbers are good but not in line with previous Selke winners. But his raw numbers will improve as the team does.