Nick Suzuki recognized as top-tier NHL center

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is receiving increasing league-wide recognition following an exceptional 2025–26 season in which he recorded 29 goals and 101 points while winning the Selke Trophy.

According to The Hockey News, Suzuki is ranked as the second-best center in the Atlantic Division, trailing only Aleksander Barkov and placing ahead of Auston Matthews. Suzuki's rise is attributed to his development as a complete two-way forward, combining offensive production with high-level defensive intelligence, positioning, and anticipation.

As he enters the 2026–27 season, discussion has turned to whether Suzuki can win back-to-back Selke Trophies. He enters the campaign nearing the 500-career-point milestone and maintains a reputation for durability, having not missed a regular-season game since his NHL debut in 2019.