Nick Suzuki is going through an increasingly difficult period, and his role as captain of the Montreal Canadiens is now questioned by many observers.
On the ice as in the locker room, his lack of dynamism, his nonchalant attitude and an apparent absence of leadership make people cringe.
Some fans go so far as to say that it is time to tear off the “C” embroidered on his sweater, as his presence is considered ineffective and uninspired.
Where veterans like Brendan Gallagher and David Savard show relentless relentlessness, willing to fight in the corners and take hits for the team, Suzuki seems detached, sometimes absent.
His lackluster performance in recent matches only fuels the frustration.
For many, Michel Therrien, who once declared that Max Pacioretty was the worst captain in CH history, could well have been wrong: it is Nick Suzuki, according to them, who holds this title.
Suzuki’s comment after the match, where he simply said that he “expected more from himself”, rings false.
“We need everyone to contribute on offense. Otherwise, we won’t win. I include myself in that. I expect more from myself and I’m sure that’s the case from the other guys too. »
The Canadian’s supporters can no longer stand this superficial discourse. They expect to see a captain who fights for every puck, who inspires and leads his team, not someone who settles for generalizations after every loss.
While waiting for a turnaround, Suzuki, with his distant posture and his lawyer’s language, risks becoming the emblem of a team which is struggling to find its soul.
For Montreal fans, it is an affront: seeing this CH logo worn with so little fire and commitment is unacceptable.
If Suzuki doesn’t soon show the character and intensity that fans demand from their captain, the “C” on his jersey could well become an empty symbol.
Nick Suzuki finds himself increasingly under fire, and many are questioning his legitimacy as captain of the Canadiens.
His lackadaisical play, his distant attitude and a shameful lack of leadership left a bitter taste to fans and the media
For many, seeing the captain and his team regress like this is unacceptable, especially when the defeats pile up without Suzuki being able to inspire his teammates.
For some, Cole Caufield’s defensive nuisance hurts Suzuki.
Martin Lemay did not hesitate to point the finger at Caufield, accusing him of undermining Suzuki’s performance.
According to Lemay, the captain must constantly compensate for Caufield’s weaknesses in defense, which prevents him from focusing on his own game and leading like a true number one center.
No matter the explanations, the reality remains: Suzuki has yet to prove that he can dominate on the ice, even in less favorable situations.
In Montreal, a captain is expected to be the pillar of the team, capable of fighting for every inch of ice and inspiring his group.
For the moment, Suzuki shows instead that he depends on an ideal environment to flourish, a characteristic that contrasts with what is required of a true leader in an organization as historic as the Canadian.
Martin St-Louis, for his part, continues to hide his disappointment with the current performances of his captain and his first line.
But the lack of results highlights Suzuki’s limitations as a number one center, even if his coach is too soft to criticize him.
Throughout the history of the Canadian, centers like Saku Koivu and Tomas Plekanec have also been relegated to the status of “good second centers”, never first.
Suzuki is following this path of non-first center. And above all, non-captain.
Increasingly, criticism is growing about his ability to truly lead this team.
He doesn’t deserve the “C” on his jersey, this symbol of leadership and pride which has become an unbearable burden for him.
Nick Suzuki was, is and never will be a captain. It’s time to make it happen.
