written by Jonah sacks

August 5, 2025

On September 12, 2022, the Montreal Canadiens named Nick Suzuki as the 31st captain in franchise history, also making him the youngest in team history at just 23 years old. At the time, many questioned the move. He was still so young, and to some fans, hadn’t yet shown the kind of standout leadership qualities typically associated with wearing the “C” in Montreal.

In Suzuki’s first season as captain, the Habs finished 28th in the NHL. While his individual game improved, it wasn’t enough to definitively establish him as a true elite first-line center. That sparked a fair discussion: was it too early in his career to captain the league’s most historic franchise? Could he truly lead the Canadiens out of this rebuild and into contention? The answers weren’t there yet—but Habs management remained confident, standing by Suzuki as both the leader and player they believed he could become.

Then came the 2023–24 season—another year where expectations were low and the team was projected to finish near the bottom of the standings. That prediction came true, with the Canadiens once again placing 28th. But one thing stood out: Nick Suzuki’s game reached another level. He posted career highs in goals (33) and points (77). There were still aspects to improve—his two-way game had more room to grow, and while his consistency was strong, it wasn’t quite at the level of elite NHL centers. By this point, however, Suzuki had firmly established himself as a reliable first-line center with 80-point potential. Still, one question remained: could he lead this young team to the playoffs?

How did Suzuki respond in 2024–25? The same way he always has—by improving. He elevated his offensive production yet again, finishing the season with 89 points—the first Hab to record over 80 points since Alex Kovalev’s 84 in 2007–08. These numbers officially solidified him as a true elite 1C—something Habs fans have long hoped for.

But it wasn’t just the numbers. His leadership was finally, undeniably evident. There’s reason to believe the Canadiens didn’t make any trades at this season’s deadline because their captain gave management a promise: that he and his teammates would do everything they could to push for the playoffs. And that’s exactly what they did—clinching the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Suzuki’s effort and respected on-ice presence became a driving force for the entire roster. He took on tough minutes, played physically, and yet barely took any penalties all season. His discipline and determination set the tone.

So, how did his leadership evolve so much over the course of the season? In my opinion, it traces back to one key moment: being left off Team Canada’s roster for the Four Nations tournament. Suzuki used that omission as motivation to improve every facet of his game and become the leader his team needed. After the Four Nations break, he lit up the league.

As mentioned, Suzuki has taken a step forward in every season of his career. So what is his ceiling? That’s up for debate—but for Habs fans, it’s an exciting conversation. Because if you’ve followed Nick Suzuki since his rookie year, you know one thing: the sky is the limit, and there’s no slowing him down.