Nick Suzuki Pursues Historic Scoring Achievement for Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is on the verge of making franchise history, with a legitimate chance to become the first Habs player in nearly four decades to finish a season among the NHL's top 10 scoring leaders.
A Historic Drought Could End
When asked after a recent practice in Brossard if he knew which Canadiens player last achieved this feat, Suzuki admitted he was unaware. The answer is Mats Naslund, who finished eighth in league scoring during the 1985-86 season with 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists). That remarkable campaign culminated in Montreal capturing the Stanley Cup, marking the last time a Canadiens player reached the 100-point plateau.
Only four players in the storied history of the Montreal Canadiens have recorded 100-point seasons. The legendary Guy Lafleur accomplished this six times, including a franchise-record 136 points in 1976-77. Pete Mahovlich achieved it twice, while Steve Shutt and Naslund each did it once. Suzuki now stands poised to become the fifth member of this exclusive club.
Current Standing and Historical Context
Heading into Tuesday's matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, Suzuki had accumulated 85 points (24 goals, 61 assists) through 69 games, projecting to finish the season with approximately 101 points. This performance placed him eighth in NHL scoring, trailing only elite talents like Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov, Edmonton's Connor McDavid, Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon, and several other top performers.
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, who was a 10-year-old minor hockey player in Laval during Naslund's historic season, wore number 26 as a tribute to his childhood idol. This connection adds a poignant layer to Suzuki's potential achievement.
Suzuki's Remarkable Development
Suzuki's consistent improvement has been nothing short of remarkable. After being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Max Pacioretty trade, he posted 41 points in each of his first two seasons with Montreal. Since then, his point totals have steadily increased: 61 points in 2021-22, 66 points in 2022-23, 77 points in 2023-24, and 89 points last season. Remarkably, he has never missed a game due to injury.
When reflecting on the trade that brought him to Montreal, Suzuki acknowledged, "I probably wouldn't be the player I am today without that happening, so I'm happy that it did." The eight-year, $63-million contract extension signed before the 2021-22 season now appears exceptionally team-friendly, with Suzuki outperforming players earning significantly higher salaries.
Team Offensive Renaissance
Suzuki attributes his offensive surge to both personal growth and systemic improvements. "I think I've just grown as a player," the 26-year-old center explained. "Our team has grown and our offensive structure has helped me, for sure, to be able to produce."
He also noted the changing nature of the NHL, pointing out that Carey Price had only one 80-point scorer (Alex Kovalev in 2007-08) throughout his entire career. "The league's transitioned for sure, and there's a lot more offence being scored than there was 20 years ago," Suzuki observed. "It's kind of the new age of the game, and we got a lot of talent in here that can do a lot of damage every night."
Supporting Cast Making History
Suzuki isn't the only Canadien chasing history. Teammate Cole Caufield was on pace for 52 goals, which would make him the first Montreal player to reach 50 goals since Stéphane Richer in 1989-90. Defenseman Lane Hutson needed just nine more assists to break Larry Robinson's single-season franchise record for defensemen. Meanwhile, Juraj Slafkovsky has already become the first player in Canadiens history to record three 50-point seasons before turning 22.
Leadership Beyond Statistics
Despite the impressive numbers, Suzuki maintains a team-first perspective. "I'm watching the standings more than keeping track of points," he emphasized. "The numbers add up over the course of the season and it is what it is at the end of the year for me."
TSN hockey analyst Mike Johnson perfectly captured Suzuki's impact with the phrase "unassuming excellence," highlighting how the young captain has silenced critics who doubted his ability to become a legitimate number one center in the NHL. Since becoming the youngest captain in franchise history at age 23, Suzuki has grown superbly into his leadership role while maintaining elite production.
As the season enters its final stretch, all eyes will be on whether Suzuki can secure his place in Canadiens history by joining the exclusive 100-point club and ending Montreal's nearly 40-year absence from the NHL's top scoring echelon.
