Tampa Bay Lightning GM Clarifies Rumors About Canadiens' Captain Nick Suzuki and Team Canada
When Nick Suzuki declined last spring to represent Canada at the World Championship, many thought it would hurt his Olympic chances.
Several believed that his chances of wearing his country's uniform at the next Olympic Games were significantly reduced.
This theory, however, was strongly refuted by the Team Canada management. Suzuki is in fact among the 42 players who were invited to attend the orientation camp held in Calgary last month.
Julien Brisebois addresses Team Canada selection rumors and Nick Suzuki
In an interview with Jonathan Bernier, Tampa Bay Lightning GM and Team Canada assistant GM, Julien Brisebois, offered his perspective on Nick Suzuki's selection.
According to him, the Montreal Canadiens captain was not chosen to please fans but because he had a tremendous finish to the season:
"When we made the selection for the 4 Nations, last November, we knew Nick Suzuki was a good player.
We knew what he had done in the past and we had followed his performances throughout the fall.
Ultimately, he was not retained, but he is being considered because he is a player whose performances will be closely scrutinized."
- Julien Brisebois
We knew what he had done in the past and we had followed his performances throughout the fall.
Ultimately, he was not retained, but he is being considered because he is a player whose performances will be closely scrutinized."
- Julien Brisebois
Let's be honest, Suzuki literally carried the Canadiens' success on his shoulders after the 4 Nations Faceoff.
After asking his GM to keep the entire roster intact, he walked the talk with 37 points in 26 games.
During that stretch, only Robert Thomas (40 points), Nikita Kucherov (39), and David Pastrnak (38) did better than him.
Nick Suzuki: a good option on the wing instead of center?
Cracking Team Canada's center line will be difficult for Nick Suzuki. With Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart, there's little room for the Canadiens' number 14.
With that in mind, Suzuki says he's ready to do whatever it takes to make the team, including playing on the wing.
"You have to adapt. That's an important message here.
There are only a few spots for a limited number of players, so I think I can easily play on the wing.
I've already done it in my career, and anyway hockey today is a sport where positions matter a little less.
Everyone has to take on all responsibilities, and I know I can do that."
- Nick Suzuki
There are only a few spots for a limited number of players, so I think I can easily play on the wing.
I've already done it in my career, and anyway hockey today is a sport where positions matter a little less.
Everyone has to take on all responsibilities, and I know I can do that."
- Nick Suzuki
The idea isn't crazy, and to have a player like Suzuki in the lineup, management will certainly consider it.
It's a huge asset to count on such a versatile player, one who can play in all game situations.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 12 | 1074 ANSWERS Tampa Bay Lightning GM Clarifies Rumors About Canadiens' Captain Nick Suzuki and Team Canada Will Nick Suzuki crack Team Canada's roster for the upcoming Olympic Games? | ||
| Yes | 917 | 85.4 % |
| No | 157 | 14.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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