May 12, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (14) plays the puck and teammate forward Cole Caufield (13) enters the Buffalo Sabres zone during the first period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
May 12, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (14) plays the puck and teammate forward Cole Caufield (13) enters the Buffalo Sabres zone during the first period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Captain Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens. The Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki. As he continues to contribute in a big way to the Montreal Canadiens, it isn't really any surprise that he was among the top 30 players in the NHL this season.
But, when the list was announced, Suzuki was quite low on it.
Should he have been higher?
Where Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens Placed Among the NHL's Top 30 Players Beginning today, the NHL.com will gradually reveal its rankings of its 30 top players. And they started with Nos. 21-30 that were announced on Thursday. Number 21 went to Suzuki.
His seventh season in the National Hockey League will be next year and he has been in Montreal during all of them.
The 27-year-old finished off the 2026-27 season with 29 goals and 72 assists for 101 points in 82 contests. That was sixth among all skaters in all of hockey. Only Mark Scheifele (103 points), Macklin Celebrini (115), Nathan Mac Kinnon (127), Nikita Kucherov (130) and Connor McDavid (138) finished higher.
He became just the fifth player in franchise history to reach 100 points in a season and only the fourth player in Canadiens history to reach that mark since it last happened in the 1980s. Suzuki led the Canadiens in games played, finished third in goals, first in assists and first in points on the team. Just considering that he continued to make a significant impact for Montreal, the number he fell on this list shouldn't be much of an issue.
James Guillory-Imagn Images
James Guillory-Imagn Images
But, when considering how the list of players the NHL took into account, it should matter more.
Look at the game's elite, including McDavid, Mac Kinnon, Kucherov and the other 29 players in the league with Suzuki. Suzuki in the NHL First-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights 13th overall, in the 2017 NHL draft. Traded to Montreal with the Knights acquired Max Pacioretty in September 2018. Has been with the Canadiens ever since.
Signed an eight-year, $63 million contract extension with Montreal that was announced in October 2021.
His contract runs through 2029-30. Initially optimistic about the move, when he signed on to the contract, Suzuki told NHL.com, "I love the city of Montreal. I love being a Canadien, and to do that for hopefully the next nine years is something I'm really looking forward to.
It's huge for me and my family and we're really happy that it all worked out." Born in London, Ontario, Canada. His signing was truly a special moment.
How Suzuki's NHL career has been and how he can continue to meet the Canadiens' expectations will determine just where he lands on his next list for 2026-27.
Written by
Lakshya