Hockey

Nick Suzuki ignored at 4 Nations: nothing to do with the Worlds, defends Julien BriseBois
Félix Forget
Nick Suzuki ignored at 4 Nations: nothing to do with the Worlds, defends Julien BriseBois
Credit: Getty Images

Nick Suzuki didn't make Canada's roster for the 4 Nations Confrontation. The Habs captain, who was presumably a candidate, was ultimately passed over by Team Canada officials, and clearly that motivated Suzuki, who went on a tear at the end of the season. He was so dominant that he almost single-handedly took the Canadiens to the playoffs, finishing the campaign with 89 points. In the eyes of many, the fact that he had refused to play at the Worlds the previous spring had worked against Suzuki. We know that this is sometimes a factor in decisions(Lane Hutson can confirm this), and it was raised as a possible explanation. But when asked about it, Julien BriseBois (assistant GM for Team Canadiens) defended himself: it wasn't a factor in the decision.He explained that the managers want to win, not play politics.

Basically, what BriseBois is explaining is that an absence from the Worlds doesn't hurt a player, but a presence can help a guy earn points. Samuel Montembeault, for example, broke his record at the Worlds in 2023, which worked in his favor for the 4 Nations Confrontation.When guys participate, it allows the management to see them in an international hockey context and get to know them.Sothefact that Suzuki didn't take part in the last Worlds shouldn't, according to BriseBois, prevent him from representing Canada at the next Olympics.The nuance is there. Let's see what happens when the time comes to announce Canada's roster

'Overtime'

– According to NHL 26 odds, Suzuki could make the Canadian team.

– Unbelievable. They really never leave the ice.

– Indeed.

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