Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is in the eye of the storm.
On social networks, criticism abounds, accusing him of not being in optimal physical shape.
Some fans are going so far as to suggest that Suzuki’s body fat percentage is too high, insinuating that the captain may have enjoyed too much of life’s pleasures this summer.
And the one who has to rub his hands the most is Michel Bergeron, aka “The Tiger”.
Bergeron has never missed an opportunity to make a scathing comment, and in this case, he enjoys it.
Because the Suzuki au Soleil saga…was perhaps the beginning of a summer of laziness according to Bergeron.
Suzuki’s summer began in the tropics, far from sporting responsibilities.
Accompanied by his new fiancée Caitlin Fitzgerald, he chose to relax in the Dominican Republic, in the luxurious resort Amanerawhere rooms cost between $3,500 and $4,000 a night.
The choice of such a location raised eyebrows at Bergeron, who has never hidden his contempt for this type of escapade, especially when a player of Suzuki’s caliber refuses the invitation to the world hockey championship.
In his eyes, Suzuki’s behavior stands in stark contrast to that of legends like Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, who, even when tired, jumped at the chance to help their country at the world championships.
Bergeron said it bluntly during his speech on TVA Sports last May.
“When I think of great athletes like Ovechkin, who immediately join their national team… There, I see Suzuki, and I am told that he is tired. Tired of what? »
The irony was not lost on anyone. While Crosby himself would be willing to consider participating, Suzuki prefers a $4,000-a-night vacation to wearing his country’s jersey.
For Bergeron, this decision was incomprehensible:
“Can you imagine Crosby at the world championship while Suzuki is resting? Is there something I don’t understand? »
The problem is that Bergeron doesn’t seem to understand the modern reality of players. Today’s young stars, like Suzuki, no longer have to submit to the constant pressure of international competitions.
They also choose to live fully and find a balance between their private life and their career.
But seeing Suzuki in poor physical shape during this catastrophic start to the season, we admit that Bergeron makes us think.
Far from hiding, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Suzuki’s fiancée, proudly shared their heavenly stay on social networks, amplifying the controversy.
By revealing every detail of their escapade, she only added fuel to the fire. What particularly irked Bergeron was that Suzuki seemed to have taken full advantage of the summer, with stops across Europe, such as Josh Anderson’s wedding in Italy, and some luxury relaxation in the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, Bergeron, true to his grumpy persona, mulled over his frustrations in the studio. But today, we have to admit that he predicted that Suzuki would find himself out of form in October.
On social networks, Canadiens fans did not hesitate to question their captain’s commitment.
“He arrived at camp with fat around his waist”some suggest, while others suggest that he would have taken the summer “too lightly after his engagement”.
The criticism is scathing, affecting not only his physique, but also his professionalism. These accusations, although often exaggerated, illustrate the constant pressure to which young stars are subjected in the intense Montreal market.
Let’s just say his Nutella ad at Tim Hortons isn’t helping him publicly at the moment.
While Suzuki and his sweetheart were enjoying their time in the sun, Bergeron was probably laughing under his breath. Every photo Caitlin posted seemed like a provocation, a subtle stab at the ex-head coach, who doesn’t understand this new generation of players.
In fact, this saga of luxury and indifference is a direct affront to the mentality of Bergeron, for whom the top priority of a hockey player is always to defend the colors of his country, regardless of the circumstances.
The lives of Nick Suzuki and Caitlin Fitzgerald are now scrutinized every moment, every decision, every movement.
And unfortunately for them, everything they do is often interpreted under the concept of judgment. But can we really blame Suzuki for wanting to take advantage of moments of respite?
Hockey is a demanding career, and even the best players sometimes have to drop out to maintain their mental and physical health.
The world has changed, and Suzuki, with its life of luxury and carefreeness, represents this new reality.
Still, Nick Suzuki may not be the old-fashioned captain that some, like Bergeron, would like to see, but he embodies a change in hockey culture.
A player who understands that personal happiness is as important as success on the ice. While some continue to judge his life choices, Suzuki moves at his own pace, strong in his belief that the freedom to live fully should never be a crime.
Through this saga, one thing is clear: times are changing, but Bergeron still predicted the future.
Nick Suzuki still thinks he’s at the beach with his Pina-Colada.
