Player Discussion Nick Suzuki Part VII

[Ozmodiar]

The reason that he is a plus player says more about the way he is willing to play in order to stay in the lineup, he is playing a safe game to please Clode.(no more talk of the minors these days) I felt that last year during camp he played it as safe as possible in order to make the team. Kotkaniemi is doing the same thing and it's a shame, let them go, tell them to have fun out there and tell them to be as creative as possible, this team is not going anywhere this year, use it as development for the future.

KK might be playing it a bit safe to prove he can handle the defensive responsibilities, but I don't see the same with Suzuki.

Suzuki just seems to have terrific instincts which puts him in the right position most of the time. You see it in the offensive zone as well. He doesn't have a high motor, but reads the play well and knows how to use space - staying in space, using a burst only when needed.

Suzuki, while not as skilled, reminds me of Datsyuk. Just the way he moves around the ice ... if you were to compare an average shift where nothing eye popping happens. Datsyuk minus the eye-popping highlight reel.

 

[ECWHSWI]

Not against sending him to Laval personally, but i do think his play hasnt warranted extra playing time. Not sure if its due to his injury, the adapting to his extra weight, or just the mythical second year curse, but he isnt playing the same way as last year. You can blame the linemates but at the end of the day, Suzuki performed better both offensively and defensively with those same linemates before getting his promo.

Suzie did not play with lehkonen/Byron before KK injury, it was either the Domi or Thompson line.

 

[angusyoung]

Suzie did not play with lehkonen/Byron before KK injury, it was either the Domi or Thompson line.

Suzuki played RW with those other line-mates aside from a few FO's. Only started to play full time C when with AL and PB.

 

[Tyson]

Suzuki has made a believer out of me in this early season. His smarts alone will keep him in the league

 

[Saundies]

Suzuki has made a believer out of me in this early season. His smarts alone will keep him in the league

Agreed. He wasn't great in camp last year and got off to a slow start this season after a great camp, so I was worried as well. After the first 5-6 games, he's really proven that he belongs.

Very excited to watch him progress.

 

[OldCraig71]

KK might be playing it a bit safe to prove he can handle the defensive responsibilities, but I don't see the same with Suzuki.

Suzuki just seems to have terrific instincts which puts him in the right position most of the time. You see it in the offensive zone as well. He doesn't have a high motor, but reads the play well and knows how to use space - staying in space, using a burst only when needed.

Suzuki, while not as skilled, reminds me of Datsyuk. Just the way he moves around the ice ... if you were to compare an average shift where nothing eye popping happens. Datsyuk minus the eye-popping highlight reel.

Really? That is lofty praise.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

Theyd rather still have Suzuki probably, but no, Glass is still a better prospect.

Marc asked for Glass first, but Suzuki was the piece offered.

 

[Price4Prez]

Marc asked for Glass first, but Suzuki was the piece offered.

Im a firm believer that we got the better of the two players in the long run, but time will tell.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

Im a firm believer that we got the better of the two players in the long run, but time will tell.

honestly, they seem to both have amazing career ahead of them

 

[CoopersFalls]

While you can see his smarts, Suzuki looks a bit over his head to me. Seems he feels the puck pressure too much and his skating is still meh at best. I kinda wish he was in the AHL to build confidence. He isn’t playing like a confident player.

 

[26Mats]

Suzuki has made a believer out of me in this early season. His smarts alone will keep him in the league

I'm hoping he can improve his speed with time, as Gallagher has done. He's pretty strong on the puck, so I suspect he's a gym rat. That bodes well for him being able to improve his speed.

 

[habs73]

You can't teach Suzuki's smarts on the ice, keep this kid at center and give him time at the position. I wish Clode would put Domi at wing and give him a shot as a top 6 center, hate Domi as a center right now, he just doesn't use players around him, plays like a winger..

 

[MTL-rules]

You can't teach Suzuki's smarts on the ice, keep this kid at center and give him time at the position. I wish Clode would put Domi at wing and give him a shot as a top 6 center, hate Domi as a center right now, he just doesn't use players around him, plays like a winger..

Well, when you play with Armia and Byron, what do you expect ?

 

[habs73]

Well, when you play with Armia and Byron, what do you expect ?

He had Drouin and Armia for a few games, no real difference... He is trying to do everything on his own, much more suited to be a winger in my opinion.

 

[DangerDave]

While you can see his smarts, Suzuki looks a bit over his head to me. Seems he feels the puck pressure too much and his skating is still meh at best. I kinda wish he was in the AHL to build confidence. He isn’t playing like a confident player.

That's fair but that was only his 3rd time at C and he actually had a really good game. The confidence will come.

 

[Mrb1p]

He had Drouin and Armia for a few games, no real difference... He is trying to do everything on his own, much more suited to be a winger in my opinion.

Hes a puck possession player.... you cant put him with another puck possession player like Drouin. Same reason why Crosby and Malkin dont work together.

Domi should be stapled to Gally until either KK, Poehling or Suzuki surpass him.

 

[azcanuck]

While you can see his smarts, Suzuki looks a bit over his head to me. Seems he feels the puck pressure too much and his skating is still meh at best. I kinda wish he was in the AHL to build confidence. He isn’t playing like a confident player.

For a rookie he plays with poise, hangs on to the puck and has made some real good passes. I suspect that will only improve in time.

He's a strong kid with good vision and a decent shot. Not a real fast skater and probably never will be. Not a grinder in the corners like Gallagher but much better then a guy like Drouin.

He's doing very well and his confidence is growing.

 

[habs73]

Hes a puck possession player.... you cant put him with another puck possession player like Drouin. Same reason why Crosby and Malkin dont work together.

Domi should be stapled to Gally until either KK, Poehling or Suzuki surpass him.

I like my centres to be able to dish the puck very quickly and accurately, not just as a last resort. I just don't view Domi as a centre long term and I wish the switch was made sooner than later..

 

[Mrb1p]

I like my centres to be able to dish the puck very quickly and accurately, not just as a last resort. I just don't view Domi as a centre long term and I wish the switch was made sooner than later..

Did you just say Domi was a bad passer because man thats some of the dumbest thing ive read all day

 

[Price4Prez]

Domi-Kotka-Armia
Drouin-Danault-Gallagher
Tatar-Suzuki-Byron
Lehkonen-Thompson-Cousins

Chariot-Weber
Mete-Petry
Kulak-Fleury

..thats what we should roll with. Poehling can slot in instead of Thompson once in a while. But right now, he is the weakest center. Weal could rotate with Cousins also. Same for Reilly and Kulak and Folin with Fleury.

I think Suzuki should play and stick at center. He needs the puck on his stick more often to use his superior IQ.

 

[1909]

Domi-Kotka-Armia
Drouin-Danault-Gallagher
Tatar-Suzuki-Byron
Lehkonen-Thompson-Cousins

Chariot-Weber
Mete-Petry
Kulak-Fleury

..thats what we should roll with. Poehling can slot in instead of Thompson once in a while. But right now, he is the weakest center. Weal could rotate with Cousins also. Same for Reilly and Kulak and Folin with Fleury.

I think Suzuki should play and stick at center. He needs the puck on his stick more often to use his superior IQ.

I like those lines. Lehkonen and Byron could be switched too. But Poehling needs to play, and play a lot.... AHL is the best solution for him right now.

I dunno in which extent Domi would accept to be placed on wing, though.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Domi-Kotka-Armia
Drouin-Danault-Gallagher
Tatar-Suzuki-Byron
Lehkonen-Thompson-Cousins

Chariot-Weber
Mete-Petry
Kulak-Fleury

..thats what we should roll with. Poehling can slot in instead of Thompson once in a while. But right now, he is the weakest center. Weal could rotate with Cousins also. Same for Reilly and Kulak and Folin with Fleury.

I think Suzuki should play and stick at center. He needs the puck on his stick more often to use his superior IQ.

I think you're right. Domi should be used on the wing. Hopefully he can be as effective. If he is, then we're going to be in really good shape up front.

 

[habs73]

Did you just say Domi was a bad passer because man thats some of the dumbest thing ive read all day

Is that what I said, reading comprehention is not a strength of yours I'm guessing..

 

[Favster]

I would like to see Domi moved to the wing to give Suzuki or Kotkaniemi a more offensive role at C. Domi was good last year but has not looked as good this year. That and his skillset is more suited as a W IMO.

 

[Naslund]

It's only a matter of time before Domi is put on the wing. My guess is that Tatar is traded this summer, or at the deadline if we are out of the race for a playoff spot. Domi will take his spot and play with Gallagher. The four centers on the team for many years to come will be Danault, KK, Suzuki and Poehling. Alternatively, Byron is traded, waived or bought out and Tatar stays. I would prefer the latter scenario, assuming Tatar can be re-signed to a reasonable contract.