BROSSARD – With his intelligence of the game, it was only a matter of time before Nick Suzuki deploys the consistency sought in the best players. He’s taken that step and his confidence is helping him tremendously.
Thus, he is not afraid to affirm that Cole Caufield can definitely score 50 goals.
In 26 games, the 23-year-old captain has already amassed 29 points (14 goals and 15 assists) which places him in the top-30 in the NHL and he has a differential of +1 after finishing the last season at minus- 29.
Easy to feel that the right-hander has reached another level and now feels comfortable against anyone in the NHL. The matches where he was dominated, on opposing rinks, against formidable centers of the Bettman circuit have become exceptions.
For example, he no longer approaches the confrontation that is emerging on Saturday evening against Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault in the same way.
“It’s the experience. When you come to the NHL, sometimes you’re intimidated by the players you used to watch and I’m not saying he was. But with experience, you develop your own confidence,” reacted Martin St-Louis.
“Nick sees himself on the same level as them and, when that’s the case, you don’t lose the battle before it starts”, identified the coach who had understood this throughout his career as a player. .
Without a doubt, Suzuki would be very happy to shine against his former teammate.
“I expect him to be true to himself, he’s a tough player to play against. I’ve seen him play against a lot of top centers across the NHL and hope to do well against him,” No. 14 submitted.
Suzuki has a unique arsenal, to the point where St-Louis struggles to find a comparable of its time. But his trainer remembers this above all.
“Suzy likes having the platform to make a difference, it’s rare that it happens young. Often young people are afraid of failing while he is hungry for success. It’s fun to see that, ”he targeted.
Speaking of which, it was telling to see that Suzuki has no qualms about saying publicly that his great ally, Cole Caufield, can score 50 goals in a season.
“Uh, 50 for sure. We’ll try to help him get to 50 this year and then we’ll see, ”replied the captain when he was asked to comment on the subject in an NHL focused on attack.
“You see the confidence he has in his teammate. But I’m not putting a number on Cole. I want him to progress as a player. I know that I have nothing to teach him to score goals”, commented St-Louis without wanting to ignite too quickly on this file.
Already as a coach at 23
In our opinion, St. Louis’ greatest compliment to Suzuki came in that statement.
“The fun thing about him is you can have high-level hockey conversations, not just like telling him, ‘Do this or that.’ It’s not a dictatorship,” the coach said of the 23-year-old hockey player.
“It’s important for players like them to understand how it happens and to be able to teach it to other players. Coaching doesn’t just come from the guy upstairs and he’s able to do that,” he added.
This statement is very understandable because Suzuki is like a fish in water with the philosophy established by St-Louis. When the coach mentions that players should choose the best game and not just the obvious one, it’s hard to find a more solid ambassador than Suzuki.
“In our concepts, guys like Suzy are very comfortable. I wouldn’t call them offensive concepts, but they help with puck possession. He shows what attack he can create in this context,” the coach said.
A verdict that Suzuki confirmed in this way.
“I’m comfortable with my game and what I have to do on the ice. I have learned from the last few years. It’s been pretty smooth this year so far. »
And to give you another idea of the level he reached, Suzuki didn’t know he had won the Molson Cup. He looked like a 29-year-old veteran who is the recipient for the 30e time.
Drouin and Hoffman will play soon, but maybe not Monahan and Savard
Whereas Jonathan Drouin et Mike Hoffmanwho practiced with a regular jersey, are getting closer to a return to play, the situation seems less encouraging for Sean Monahan et David Savard.
The Canadian was content to specify that the two veterans remain in medical evaluation.
If Monahan were to miss multiple games, Suzuki would have an even bigger tenure.
Among the options, St-Louis could decide to give the center a chance at Kirby Roofbut this scenario seems too hasty according to what we deduce.
That said, Dach sees himself eventually returning to that position.
“I’ve always wanted to establish myself at the center, but this file belongs more to Martin. »
Mentally, it’s probably a bit heartbreaking to want to play center when it means leaving Suzuki and Caufield.
“I’m not sure, there are several good players in this dressing room and I can develop chemistry with them. Yes, it’s nice to have developed chemistry so quickly with Nick and Cole. We don’t count as often in the last games, but we generate chances, ”replied Dach who praised Monahan’s contribution a few seconds earlier.
Regarding the other injured, the defender Michael Matheson benefited from a day of treatment.