Yesterday, NHL Network revealed who they evaluate to be the top 20 centers in the league. Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki was among the elite selection, ranked 16th.
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Suzuki registered a career-high in goals, assists and points last season, tallying a 33-44-77 stat line. He has amassed 108 goals and 286 points in 373 regular season contests and is still young at 25. He ranks ahead of Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators and after Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings.
Last campaign, Slick Nick was the glue that kept the top line sturdy. The first half of the season saw a slower pace of production while he, Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield found their form together. The trio collected 81 goals and played in all 82 games. This was additionally, the third straight season wherein the captain played in every match, extending his ironman streak to 373 games and is the third longest active stretch in the NHL.
It’s a guarantee that Suzuki will reprise his role as the top center on the depth chart, but with the recent acquisition of Patrik Laine, there will no doubt be different line combinations as 2024-25 progresses. If the Finn returns close to his goal-scoring profile, we could see him replacing one of the two wingers on either side of the captain.
Related: The Canadiens Acquire Patrik Laine and a Second Round Pick For Jordan Harris
Still, the optimistic prediction is that Suzuki will improve on last year’s performance, with projections already estimating an 80-point run from the forward out of London, Ont. If he racks up another 30-some-odd goals, and his linemates capitalize on scoring opportunities, he will clear the high bar set for him.
Related
Canadiens: What Will Suzuki’s Point Total Be?
Nick Suzuki is the Glue to Canadiens’ Young Core
Montreal Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield Hit the Links
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