Hockey

Nick Suzuki, the 25th best NHL player according to TSN
Marc-Olivier Cook
Nick Suzuki, the 25th best NHL player according to TSN
Credit: Getty Images

Last season, 12 players managed to score 90 points or more in the NHL.

We're talking about Nikita Kucherov (121), Nathan MacKinnon (116), Leon Draisaitl (106), David Pastrnak (106), Mitch Marner (102), Connor McDavid (100), Kyle Connor (97), Jack Eichel (94), Cale Makar (92), Sidney Crosby (91), Clayton Keller (90) and Brandan Hagel (90). We agree: these players are truly among the NHL's elite. And with that in mind, it's nice to realize that Nick Suzuki – with 89 points in 82 games – is beginning to cement his place among the league's excellent players. It's not for nothing, after all, that Suzuki is ranked 28th among the league's top players by NHL Network.And TSN, which did the same exercise by ranking the NHL's top 50 players, ranks Suzuki 25th on its list.What's special about all this?

The Canadiens' captain is starting to get the recognition he deserves, and all the better for it. He's getting better every year, and he really seems to be in his prime too. Suzuki is good offensively… but he's just as good defensively, and that's what makes him one of the best players in the NHL today.He can be useful on all 200 feet of ice, and we're really starting to understand how important he is to the Canadiens too. Without him, the Habs don't make the playoffs in 24-25… and without him, the Canadiens would probably have no (or very, very little, at least) chance of making the playoffs next season. That said, the top 25 players in the NHL also happen to be the top 25 players in the world. With that in mind, it's logical to believe that the captain has a chance of representing Canada at the next Olympic Games, to be held next February in Italy.It remains to be seen whether he'll convince the Canadiens' management to take him on board… [ spacer title='Overtime'] – Indeed.

– Hello, LJ.

– Of note.

– Are you part of it?

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!