Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, known for his keen interest in the strategic aspects of hockey, expressed his admiration for the team`s recent off-season maneuvers. He finds himself particularly impressed by the trades, signings, and draft picks that teams orchestrate with the ambition of future championship parades.
This summer, the Canadiens` leadership, under president Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes, made significant moves. On June 27, they acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, securing him with an eight-year, $76-million USD contract. Shortly after, they traded with the St. Louis Blues to bring in depth winger Zack Bolduc.
Following last season`s playoff return and successful emergence from a rebuilding phase, Suzuki is confident these additions will be crucial as the team aims for further progress in the 2025-26 season. Speaking at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas, the center remarked, “They`re going to fit in perfectly. Both play the style that we like, and I think they`re going to really love the way we play.”
Dobson, aged 25, will bolster an already promising defensive core that features talents like Calder Trophy recipient Lane Hutson and the consistent Kaiden Guhle. Bolduc, 22, has developed into a reliable two-way NHL player, highlighted by his impressive 124 goals over his last two junior seasons. Suzuki, who recently turned 26, commented on the new arrivals, “They`re really excited. They fit right in with the age group… it’s pretty impressive that we got those two young guys.”
Another key player who made a strong impression late last season was Russian forward Ivan Demidov. Drafted fifth overall in 2024, Demidov was initially projected to play extensively in Russia`s KHL. However, the 19-year-old surprised many by joining Montreal in April, making an electrifying NHL debut with a goal and an assist in his first two regular-season games, and subsequently participating in the Canadiens` five-game playoff series against the Washington Capitals.
Suzuki recalled his excitement regarding Demidov’s arrival, mentioning his previous discussion about the young talent at the same media event a year prior. “It was great when he came over, seeing videos of people tracking his flight,” Suzuki stated. “I was like, `Oh, man, this is crazy.` But that`s how big of a talent he is, honestly. It was super impressive to see someone have that much talent at that age. He had a great start with us. Looking forward to seeing what he can bring.”
Despite the team`s playoff drought for three consecutive seasons after reaching the 2021 Stanley Cup final, Suzuki emphasized the importance of a fresh start for the roster. With training camp approaching, the team must focus on advancing in the highly competitive Atlantic Division. “A lot more of the same,” he noted. “We still have a lot to learn, but I think the lessons that we got last year were really important for our group, and to experience all those big games. We`ve got a lot of things to build off.”
Individually, Suzuki had a standout 2024-25 season, achieving a career-high 89 points (30 goals, 59 assists). Despite being left off Canada`s roster for the February 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, he finished the regular season strong, tallying 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in the final 26 games, placing him fourth in overall league scoring. He accomplished this while also shouldering the responsibilities of being the Canadiens` captain. “I`m definitely a lot more comfortable and confident in the role compared to two, three years ago,” Suzuki shared. “Growing as a person and a leader in our group has been fun.”
With a productive off-season behind them, Suzuki anticipates a promising future for the team.
Changing Addresses: Marner to Vegas
In other significant league news, the Vegas Golden Knights completed a sign-and-trade deal for Mitch Marner, acquiring the star winger from the Toronto Maple Leafs just before free agency in June. Although Marner was present at the Las Vegas player tour, he was not made available to the general media. However, his new teammate, Jack Eichel, expressed excitement about the acquisition. Eichel described Marner, who is fresh off a career-best 102-point season, as a “world-class hockey player” and “one of the smartest players in our league.”
Having himself moved to Las Vegas from a northern hockey market after a trade from the Buffalo Sabres in 2021, Eichel credited the Golden Knights` management for the move. “Tons of credit to management to be able to add a player like Mitch,” Eichel stated. “Mitch was going to be a free agent… had his, I would assume, pick of the litter. There`s something special to be said for that.”
