Marc Bergevin is still the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens for the next year, at least, and then before he possibly jumped ship, he made sure that Nick Suzuki was anchored in Montreal. He probably didn't want to repeat a situation similar to Jesperi Kotkaniemi's...
The latest rumors had the number 14, who has become the team's number one pivot, signing an eight-year deal, no less. No bridge contract following his three-year entry deal. And now, it's done, he's "locked in" Montreal for the next eight years.
This is huge news for the player and the organization. Suzuki is one of the most outstanding players in the world, and he has an exceptional hockey intelligence. With an average salary of $7.875 million, this is a stroke of genius on the part of Marc Bergevin!
The 22-year-old had 82 points in 127 regular games, while adding 23 points in 32 playoff games. He has shown how well he is able to raise his game when it counts. Suzuki is becoming as perfect a player as Patrice Bergeron, no less.
