Nick Suzuki: Second-Best Center in the Atlantic Division, According to The Hockey News

Félix Forget
Nick Suzuki: Second-Best Center in the Atlantic Division, According to The Hockey News
Credit: Matt Garies/NHLI via Getty Images

Nick Suzuki just had an exceptional season. The Canadiens' captain scored 29 goals and tallied 101 points in 2025–26, while also winning the Selke Trophy.

He logged significant ice time at center on the top line and led his team—the second-youngest in the league—to the Eastern Conference Finals.

And since then, it feels like Suzuki, more than ever, is getting the recognition he deserves across the league. He's increasingly regarded as one of the best players in the NHL… and The Hockey News echoed that sentiment today.

The website undertook the task of ranking the top three centers in the Atlantic Division, the Habs' division. And it's worth noting that Suzuki ranks second in the top three.

The only player ahead of him is Aleksander Barkov, who—even though he's never recorded 100 points in a season—has won the Stanley Cup twice and the Selke Trophy three times.

It's also worth noting that Suzuki ranks ahead of Auston Matthews, who comes in third. The past two seasons—which have been more challenging for the Maple Leafs captain—have contributed to his drop below Suzuki.

We can all agree that a Matthews at the top of his game is better than Suzuki. Except it's been a while since we've seen that version of Matthews… and we wonder if the player—who will turn 29 at the start of next season—is capable of returning to the heights he reached in 2023–24, when he scored 69 goals and finished third in the Selke Trophy race.

That said, it doesn't change the fact that Suzuki continues to receive the recognition he deserves. He's finally being recognized as a top-tier center across the league following his exceptional 2025–26 season.

Now we'll see if he can repeat his feats in 2026–27. It's not guaranteed, but we know he's capable of very, very great things.


In a Nutshell

– A trip down memory lane.

– That's a major league shutdown right there.

– Worth noting.

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