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    Is Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki a True No. 1 Center? Does It Even Matter?

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    Is Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki a True No. 1 Center? Does It Even Matter?

    Nick Suzuki

    David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

    The stat is a bit shocking — if not selective.

    Last season, Nick Suzuki tied for 15th overall among NHL centers with 77 points in 82 games. But at the same time, only six players (Auston Matthews, Leon Draisaitl, J.T. Miller, Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Sebastian Aho and winger Mikko Rantanen) had more goals, more points and a higher faceoff percentage than the Montreal Canadiens center.

    That raises the question: is Suzuki, who had 33 goals and a 52.6 winning face-off percentage, a legitimate No. 1 center?

    He might be, but that depends on the criteria you are using. 

    It also depends on what team he’s playing for. 

    In Montreal, where the other options are Kirby Dach, Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak, the answer is a resounding yes. The same probably goes for Anaheim, Calgary, Columbus, Philadelphia, San Jose, Seattle, Utah and maybe a few others. But again, that’s more of a reflection of those teams’ lack of top-end center depth than it is Suzuki’s ability.

    On most playoff contenders, Suzuki would be a very good No. 2 center. In Edmonton, where Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are among the best in the league, as well as in Nashville, Vancouver and Vegas, he’d be a No. 3 center — or perhaps a winger.

    That’s not a knock on Suzuki, whose assets go beyond his goals and point totals. 

    Not all centers are built the same. Some, like McDavid, Matthews and MacKinnon, are elite because of their offensive production. Others, such as Anze Kopitar and Roope Hintz, are elite because of their two-way game. 

    Suzuki, who had a career year last season, falls a bit into both categories. He’s not — and might never be — one of the most dynamic scorers in the NHL. He also may never win a Selke Trophy as a top defensive forward. In other words, he’s not elite in the way McDavid or Matthews is. But luckily for the Canadiens, he’s not necessarily being paid as being elite.

    Related: Does Your NHL Team Have a True No. 1 Center For the 2024-25 Season?

    Suzuki is entering the third year of an eight-year contract that carries a $7.875-million cap hit. More than 20 centers are currently earning more than him, including Ottawa’s Josh Norris and Philadelphia’s Ryan Johansen — none of whom would be confused as a top-line center right now.

    That gives Montreal options going forward.

    At his cap hit, which will look better with each passing year, the Canadiens could go out and get a surefire No. 1 center, thus dropping Suzuki down the depth chart. If that happens, it won’t be anytime soon.

    Montreal, which finished with the worst record in the Atlantic Division last season, is still rebuilding. The chances are the Canadiens will miss out on the playoffs again next season. But the question that will eventually have to be asked is whether Suzuki can still be their No. 1 option down the middle when the team eventually challenges for the post-season. Or whether they will have to bolster their depth down the middle to take the next step in their development. 

    Then again, with recent draft picks Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and eventually Ivan Demidov loaded up on the wings, maybe having a true, No. 1 center isn’t the end-all, be-all. After all, the St. Louis Blues won a Stanley Cup in 2019 with Ryan O’Reilly as their No. 1 center. Like Suzuki did last season, O’Reilly managed only 77 points that year.

    And considering O’Reilly won the Selke Trophy — but also the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP — no one was suggesting O’Reilly wasn’t elite.

    Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.

    Related: Does Your NHL Team Have a True No. 1 Defenseman For the 2024-25 Season?

    Related: Does Your NHL Team Have a True No. 1 Goaltender For the 2024-25 Season?

    Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest on Leon Draisaitl and Sidney Crosby

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