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Nick Suzuki isn’t “just” a #1 center: he’s a top-notch #1 center
Félix Forget
Nick Suzuki isn’t “just” a #1 center: he’s a top-notch #1 center
Credit: Getty Images
For several years, when talking about Nick Suzuki, a question often comes up: “is he really a number one center on a contending team?” In Montreal, he has been the number one center for several years… and even though he plays big hockey, there were doubts about his ability to be that true elite number one center.

And in Montreal, a true top center, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen one.

And this season, it’s clear: Suzuki is playing like a true number one center. The captain has scored 67 points in 64 games, and he’s almost single-handedly pulling his team towards the playoffs right now.

Because after all, he’s doing all this without a true number two center behind him. He’s forced to play a lot of minutes, and he’s responding (more than) positively.

Earlier today, Raphaël Doucet released some very interesting numbers, as he looked at Suzuki’s ranking in different statistical categories among all NHL centers…

And what we notice is that he’s very, very high in these categories.

Of course, nobody will say that Suzuki has the talent of a Connor McDavid, a Nathan MacKinnon, or an Auston Matthews. He’s not in that category of centers (which also includes Leon Draisaitl, Aleksander Barkov, and Jack Eichel)… but the season he’s having puts him clearly in the second category.

Did you know that before today’s games, Suzuki was 21st in the NHL in scoring this season? I’m not just talking about centers or forwards here: I’m talking about all NHL players.

And once again, it’s worth reminding that Suzuki is doing all this without relying on a number two center. He has an extremely difficult role in Montreal, and despite that, he’s shining night after night, even if the Canadiens only have one true line that poses a real threat.

Imagine the day when teams will also have to worry about stopping another solid line (led by Ivan Demidov, for example). That could help the captain even more.

The question we should be asking is not “is Nick Suzuki a number one center?” The real question is “how many centers in the NHL are better than Suzuki?”… and the list is probably shorter than we think.

Marc Bergevin was not a perfect GM, but he will have left behind Suzuki’s contract, which will pay him less than $8 million per year until 2030. And more than ever this season, the Canadiens must think they have a great bargain on their hands.


In rapid fire

– Talking about the NHL’s top scorers.

– Interesting.

– It coincides quite nicely with the arrival of Alexandre Carrier, all that.

– 30 goals for Alex DeBrincat this season.

– He has 36 points in his last 44 games.

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