[EXTENSION] Nick Suzuki

[rataylor22]

He's done hour long interviews. He's like a Carey Price type leader.

Does this honestly tell us anything?

By media presence I mean is he talking after every game.

[Canucks_fan18]

I think the deal is OK. I compare him to Bo Horvat. Would I give Horvat that contract today to keep him around, sure but would I be happy with it, no. I think $6.5 to $7 would be right for what should be your second line center, that can fill into a first.

The difference between a Horvat/Suzuki and let's say a Petterson or Hughes, is that although they might be more reliable in all situations, they just don't have the high talent to potentially reach superstar status. You can teach the other elements of the game but you can't teach talent.

[Invictus]

Does this honestly tell us anything?

By media presence I mean is he talking after every game.

Does doing 1 minute interviews for big mainstream media show anything about 'leadership'. No.
But there's lots shown by him to say he's a selfless leader that isn't 'wishcasting'.

He's shaping his game after Danault and that's where I think he'd be most effective 2-C. Your list makes sense.
But being Montreal and their lack of ability to acquire a 1-C, guess its Suzuki and he is getting paid as such now.

[ross10019]

I think the deal is OK. I compare him to Bo Horvat. Would I give Horvat that contract today to keep him around, sure but would I be happy with it, no. I think $6.5 to $7 would be right for what should be your second line center, that can fill into a first.

The difference between a Horvat/Suzuki and let's say a Petterson or Hughes, is that although they might be more reliable in all situations, they just don't have the high talent to potentially reach superstar status. You can teach the other elements of the game but you can't teach talent.

Points taken, but “superstars” aren’t being paid 7.875M and agreeing to buy out 4 UFA years at that money. Superstars command $9M and up, especially as the cap rises as it almost surely will in 3 years or so.

Suzuki will not be a superstar, but he’ll be a star and better than Horvat imo. I think he has potential to hit PPG with the opportunity he’ll get and playing with the likes of Caufield for next 8 years.

Last point - unfortunately there is a slight premium to sign in Mtl due to the tax situation compared to the US and even other provinces, that should be factored in to any Habs contract value assessment.

[tweetdrivr]

He's shaping his game after Danault and that's where I think he'd be most effective 2-C.

This is completely not false. Speaking of Wishcasting...

[Invictus]

This is completely not false. Speaking of Wishcasting...

Oops meant Datsyuk not Danault.

[tweetdrivr]

Oops meant Datsyuk not Danault.

Close eh. That makes a lot more sense.

[rufio.85]

I get why some people are not fully convinced by this contract. Just my two cents, but I've seen enough to believe that Suzuki is on his way to stardom. Not superstardom, but a legit two-way player that anchors a first-line. Those who question his leadership role / qualities clearly haven't heard his teammates talk about him.

Rataylor's list of better centres is valid, but let's not forget that Suzuki's extension is starting in 2022-23. So we should revisit that list at that point and see where Suzuki fits.

We've all agreed that Bergevin is gambling that Suzuki will outplay that contract and he obviously thinks that it's worth getting ahead of the curve. That's the same GM who gave 6 x 4.5M to Pacioretty in 2012 and 6 x 3.75M to Gallagher in 2014, two excellent value contracts to say the least. So maybe he sees something that some don't. I'm obviously in the camp that thinks Suzuki will provide excellent value relative to his salary. Time will tell, but I sincerely believe we'll talk about that player the same way we talk about Bergeron and O'Reilly right now.