Prospect Info: Nick Suzuki Part III

[Chr1s97]

Suzuki needs top 6 minutes. Either in the A or in the NHL. Same thing goes for Poehling.

Either go
Kotkaniemi-Suzuki
Or
Domi-Suzuki

Or put Poehling and Suzuki on separate lines in the AHL and have them develop offense there.

Suzuki need to be in the AHL with a pro active coach like Bouchard that isnt scare to speak and tell him truth when the intensity is not there. Suzuki's seem like a player that always been love by his coach, always been an exemple and a leader on his team on a lower level (pee-wee to O). He dont have that willingness that hunger to thrive the play. He dont seem to want it more than and thats where I think that a coach like Bouchard can refocus him. Hes got a good tool box but if he cant move his feet hell be nun more then a P.P "specialist"

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Suzuki can work well with Domi. They can also alternate center responsibilities.

Down the road yes.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I like Suzuki a lot but I just wonder who ends up the better player... Ylonen or Suzuki? 90% say Suzuki hands down but I'm more like 65/35 in favor of Suzuki. Lets not crown our top prospects into sure shot impact players. It don't work that way.. we have to wait to see how hungry they are to keep improving and it's anybodies guess

 

[Mrb1p]

I like Suzuki a lot but I just wonder who ends up the better player... Ylonen or Suzuki? 90% say Suzuki hands down but I'm more like 65/35 in favor of Suzuki. Lets not crown our top prospects into sure shot impact players. It don't work that way.. we have to wait to see how hungry they are to keep improving and it's anybodies guess

at the end of the day, Suzuki is just the much smarter player and my bet is on him.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

at the end of the day, Suzuki is just the much smarter player and my bet is on him.

yeah even with Suzuki's middling WJCs (I only saw the last game of his really) there was something that showed me he could be really dangerous. I was super high on Ylonen at the WJCs (some games more than others) but I think you pin pointed that something that might stop Ylonen from reaching that ceiling. I don't think his decision-making was especially bad but not on Suzuki's level. He made some really smart little passes many times I saw him but then there were some times where I thought he didn't make the right play. As skilled as he is it might not be quite enough to over come that slight handicap. Again, i don't think he's cripplingly dumb but it could be the difference with him. He's gonna need a big leap in his production next year to convince me otherwise. I'm definitely a fan but I think people should be a bit more cautious with Ylonen. Still showing some solid things.

 

[Saundies]

Suzuki is in a "damned if you do, damn if you don't" year in the O. Too good for the league yet not NHL ready yet. If he doesn't match his 100 pt output last year, he's not having a good year. If he does match it, it's "well, who cares, he's 19 he's supposed to dominate"

He did underwhelm in training camp and somewhat at the WJC but those are extremely short sample sizes. If he gets AHL time next year and starts translating his game over he's gonna be really good.

 

[lamp9post]

Seriously? Are we that deep on wing that it would be hard to make the team at wing? As it stands, with Domi still at C, we have Drouin and tatar as established top-6 LWs. On the right, we have Gallagher. Even if Shaw is the 2nd line RW, there is definitely room for Suzuki at wing. The assumption is that the kid makes the team based on higher talent than Lehkonen, Armia, Byron, Weise, Deslauriers, etc.

I doubt Suzuki would start as a top-6 winger, but he can surely end up beating out plenty of other bottom 6 wingers o this team to play a 3rd line RW role.

LW is deep, especially if Domi were to return to the wing, but, beyond Gallagher, RW is pretty weak on this team.

That said, I agree that Suzuki should start the year in Laval, really with Poehling as a line partner and Brook on the back end. The WJC trifecta should grow together in the AHL.

You're listing some pretty effective and established NHL top-9 forwards here. Even if Suzuki has more raw talent, I doubt his ability to outplay at least the bolded as early as next year.

 

[HOPE]

Suzuki needs top 6 minutes. Either in the A or in the NHL. Same thing goes for Poehling.

Either go
Kotkaniemi-Suzuki
Or
Domi-Suzuki

Or put Poehling and Suzuki on separate lines in the AHL and have them develop offense there.

why do you want to separate them in the AHL?

Poehling plays a very mature game and has been playing vs older player for a while already, Suzuki while lacking intensity, he's a smart player and a great finisher! I stated this a couple of times already but i would both let them in the AHL next season on a line together with a VET on the left side, their game realy complimates each other! Having them creating chemistry together in a lower league and both graduating at the same time the year after will make it alot easier mentally and physically! Just like we did with Desharnais and Pacioretty!

 

[Scriptor]

why do you want to separate them in the AHL?

Poehling plays a very mature game and has been playing vs older player for a while already, Suzuki while lacking intensity, he's a smart player and a great finisher! I stated this a couple of times already but i would both let them in the AHL next season on a line together with a VET on the left side, their game realy complimates each other! Having them creating chemistry together in a lower league and both graduating at the same time the year after will make it alot easier mentally and physically! Just like we did with Desharnais and Pacioretty!

Agreed. I would definitely play them together on the same line, perhaps with an Ahl veteran at LW on a top line and on a #1 PP wave. Play them on the PK together as well. Let them build up their confidence together and carry that over to the NHL when they graduate there.

 

[Scriptor]

You're listing some pretty effective and established NHL top-9 forwards here. Even if Suzuki has more raw talent, I doubt his ability to outplay at least the bolded as early as next year.

What was the problem with Suzuki at camp this year? Pretty simple to see. He was too easily separated from the puck in one on one battles. The kid needs to gain lower body strength and become more elusive with the puck. It was the same for Pacioretty, Galchenyuk, etc. and is the same for Kotkaniemi now. It's not a terminal disease, just a part of growing up and filling out. For some, because of genetics, a bigger, more dedicated effort needs to be put in (no, not Steroids like with Tinordi).

The point pf placing a kid with the talent that gives him top-6 upside on a 3rd line is to subtract him from more difficult match-ups as he develops (both hockey-wise and physically) so he can play to his strengths at the NHL level and produce adequately. Am

I concerned that Suzuki won't produce more offense than Armia? Not in the least.

That he won't produce more goals than the Lehkonen we have seen beyond his rookie season? Not in the least.

Will Byron produce more goals than Suzuki? Maybe, but Byron brings something anywhere in the lineup and could serve to add a scoring element to a fourth line, something we need, without exposing that line defensively.

Suzuki has the hockey sense, IMO, to properly anticipate plays from KK, instead of whiffing on golden opportunities served up by the Finnish C. Both players have the ability to slow down and speed up the game and would be good complements for each other.

On a kid line with Lehkonen, perhaps the tandem of KK-Suzuki could also jump start the Finnish winger since both are capable playmakers and can act as a double threat to also shoot.

IMO, KK and Suzuki are ideal players to partner up for the future and the sooner the better while they can both be inserted in a more sheltered third line role with some PP time as extra TOI in game situations that cater to their strengths.

I look at Suzuki's season as a developmental one next year and the real fruits of those efforts alongside KK (as they get to know each other) will come in the subsequent seasons. If Suzuki plays like gangbusters, it will be a bonus.

Suzuki is too smart and has too many tools not to become a gamer in the NHL, IMO. When? Only his play will dictate that.

Suzuki might not be ready for the NHL either as he may still lack the strength and/or explosiveness/elusiveness with the puck to hold his own. If that's the case in training camp, by all means, send him to Laval. Learning under Bouchard is no purgatory and can also assist him in becoming the best player he can become down the line.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

I think even if we don't we still have enough forwards in the NHL.

Domi
Drouin
Gallagher
Tatar
Danault
Armia
Byron
Shaw
Lehkonen
Kotkaniemi

make up top 9 for sure. Guys like Hudon may be gone and the other 4th liners aren't worth breaking our heads over. Why bring Poehling and Suzuki up? To make them play 4th line? Seems like a waste.

If somehow we add another forward then it makes the decision even more baffling.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

Belatedly, Julien and Bergevin seem to recognize Hudon's limitations. I look forward to the deadline and the 2019 draft, when real talent will become available.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

One full AHL season would be ideal for Suzuki development, I hope the organization goes that route, there is no rush to have him on the team.

 

[Kunta Kinte]

Anyone watching his team in the OHL? 19pts in 16 games for a guy who had 100 last year.

How is he playing on his new team? production dropped off a lot

 

[Kunta Kinte]

He said he doesnt wanna go there...He is coming to camp to make it

Said he would like to play with the Eagle...

Explain please... Eagle?

 

[CauZuki]

Explain please... Eagle?

Eagle is Kotkaniemi's nickname.

 

[Kunta Kinte]

Eagle is Kotkaniemi's nickname.

ehhhh ok...

 

[G0bias]

ehhhh ok...

Kotka means eagle in Finnish.

 

[cphabs]

Kotka means eagle in Finnish.

It means Coconut in ancient Sumatran.

 

[Runner77]

It means Coconut in ancient Sumatran.

Lemme guess, your nickname for Suzuki is "KiKi"?

 

[cphabs]

Lemme guess, your nickname for Suzuki is "KiKi"?

No Suzuki’s nickname is Eagle

 

[Runner77]

No Suzuki’s nickname is Eagle

That's some intricate cross-pollination right there.

 

[NobleSix]

Anyone watching his team in the OHL? 19pts in 16 games for a guy who had 100 last year.

How is he playing on his new team? production dropped off a lot

He's been playing well despite putting up points at a lesser rate. He is, by his own admission, working more closely on other parts of his game.

I'm personally not worried about his OHL production at all any more to be honest. He's proved that he can put up points and be an offensive beast in the OHL for the better part of 3 seasons. IMO he doesn't have anything left to prove in terms of junior level offensive production. I would much rather see him working on other elements of his game in order to prove that he can translate his play to the professional leagues.

If becoming a more well-rounded player comes at the cost of 10-15 points down the stretch in his last junior season, then i'm more than okay with that to be honest. I don't think the reduced production is cause for concern at all.

 

[Runner77]

One full AHL season would be ideal for Suzuki development, I hope the organization goes that route, there is no rush to have him on the team.

I'd like to think that his performance will dictate where he plays. Some AHL time can only help him, however.

Gonna be fun to be able to see him up close and knowing he's only a few minutes away from a call-up if he doesn't make the Habs out of training camp.

 

[NewEraGM]

I like Suzuki, but I sometimes have this feeling that he will bust, or at least not reach top 6 material. Just seems like he floats sometimes...hope I’m wrong. Would love to see him with KK (2 very cerebral players)