When the Montreal Canadiens chose to finally turn a page by committing to a rebuild several years ago, a greatly underappreciated aspect of the multi-year plan was finding the right leader to guide the team through the most complex project in the modern sports landscape.
Ultimately, many franchises have decided to break down the studs to rebuild, but some have managed to stick to the plan given all the vagaries involved in roster construction.
That's why September 12, 2022 can be considered one of the most important days in Canadiens franchise history. No, they did not capture their 25th Stanley Cup, nor did they defeat their rivals in the playoff round, or in any other traditional competition, which would be considered a significant step forward.
Rather, incoming general manager Kent Hughes named Nick Suzuki as team captain, making him the youngest Habs player to wear the 'C' on his chest.
Nick Suzuki Brass Tacks
The NHL on Wednesday named Suzuki as a finalist for the Selke Trophy, given annually to the forward who displays the most skill in the defensive component of the game.
He joins fellow finalists Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), a situation that would guarantee a first-time winner.
In the past, Sasha Barkov (2021, 2024, 2025) and Patrice Bergeron (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023) have monopolized the trophy, but the latter has retired, and the former missed the entirety of the 2025–26 season, leaving room for a new best defensive forward in the NHL. The door opened.
Suzuki is considered the favorite to take home the trophy, and not just because he reached the 100-point mark for the first time in his career. He managed to score 29 assists and 72 assists in 82 games, making it the fifth consecutive season in which he managed to improve his production.
You could argue it's Suzuki's The way to work: Continuous improvement across the board. In addition to improving his scoring each year, Suzuki has strengthened his defensive game, and was the centerpiece of one of the most impressive lines in the NHL in 2025-26.
Playing alongside Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkowski, Suzuki managed to control over 55 percent of the shots at 5v5. More impressively, they scored 33 goals while only allowing opponents 14 goals, good for 70% control of all goals during the regular season. Their expected goals were also good at 56%.
team-wide movement
Whether or not Suzuki takes home the grand prize, the fact that the Montreal Canadiens are back in the news as having one of the best individuals, as well as one of the league's best young teams, is emblematic of an encouraging season.
Caufield will have a chance to take home the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, while first-year player Ivan Demidov is in the running for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league's best freshman.
And the Canadiens are still playing meaningful playoff hockey, confirming that not only has Suzuki led them through a very difficult rebuild, but his leadership has also made sure the Habs are ready for more potential talent down the road.
After all, Montreal is a city full of hockey landmines that can send the Canadiens locker room into disarray in an instant. To get an idea of how poor management and weak leadership can affect results, take a look at Canada's two closest NHL cities.
The Canadiens are enjoying one of the most encouraging rebuilds in NHL history, and perhaps more importantly, thanks to Nick Suzuki's leadership, a void of the usual drama.
Thus, it is fair to suggest that his excellence goes far beyond his play on the ice.
All Nick Suzuki and Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.
