“I’m not sure how much playoff success you can expect when a core player is this small” pic.twitter.com/cfmB0YQoaN
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 8, 2023
John Scott has never been one to mince his words. He’s never hesitated to speak his mind. Sometimes that’s a credit to him, but sometimes he misses an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
And with his latest statement concerning Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, the latter is the case. Indeed, the six-foot-eight giant believes both are very talented, but he’s not sure what kind of success they’ll have in the playoffs because of their size, among other things.
As if that makes a difference…
With Caufield signed long term, Montreal has locked up its core.
Their size? 5’11 ” and 5’7″.
Can this core bring the Canadiens to playoff success? #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/U9pvjS0uhj
– Dropping the Gloves (@dropping_gloves) June 8, 2023
One detail that probably escaped him is that Caufield and Suzuki have already had success in the playoffs, even though they’re only 22 and 23, respectively. In 2021, they made it to the Stanley Cup Final and were very important factors in their team’s success.
At 5 feet 11 inches (Suzuki) and 5 feet 7 inches (Caufield), the two forwards who are in Montreal to stay have won three series each. Suzuki even eliminated the Penguins in the 2019-2020 series, but that three-of-five was officially not a “playoff series”.
And at 6 feet 8 inches, John Scott hasn’t won… a single series in his entire career. Better yet, the giant has played four playoff games in his entire career, all four in the same year in Chicago. That year (2011-2012), the Blackhawks were swept. So, to recap, in 286 NHL games, or 10 seasons, Scott hasn’t collected a point in four playoff games.
Suzuki and Caufield, on the other hand…
In short, height isn’t all that important, if you ask me. I don’t think Martin St-Louis’ 5’8″ prevented him from winning the Cup in 2004…
If Suzuki and Caufield, aka, the Montreal Core, are small, others like Kirby Dach, Josh Anderson and the big defense make up for the lack of physicality. But then again, in 2023, size is such an irrelevant factor…
And that’s even if the game goes up a notch in the playoffs.
In bursts
– Of course.
Connor Bedard captures the attention of NHL stars | The Star https://t.co/DjCPJ7sk8w
– Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) June 9, 2023
– Conners dominates at home.
Corey Conners among the leaders at the Canadian Openhttps://t.co/J98ynYmCxq
– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) June 9, 2023
– The Jays are on fire.
One paid run is enough 💪⚾️ https://t.co/pOH5Gratgh
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) June 9, 2023
– My guess.
A long-term contract extension was discussed at training camp. https://t.co/IK0Z3L4TWB
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) June 9, 2023
– Too bad.
The 31-year-old veteran missed 18 games this season with knee discomfort. https://t.co/rhgSFNDre6
– AlleyOop360 (@AlleyOop360) June 9, 2023