Nick Suzuki, captain of the Montreal Canadiens, continues to be the target of public attacks.
As he tries to navigate his difficult, if not impossible, role, it’s now former NHL star Simon Gagné who’s coming after him.
Gagné was nothing short of scathing, saying that Suzuki does not have the qualities of a true captain.
His words in the following video clip are simply scathing:
According to Gagné, Suzuki is not a captain at heart. When he doesn’t score, he doesn’t contribute anything else. He can’t play physical to change the course of a match, nor can he make a big speech to motivate his teammates.
And if that wasn’t enough, influential comedian and producer Louis Morissette hit the nail on the head by suggesting that the “C” on Suzuki’s jersey should be torn off and given to Kaiden Guhle.
Guhle has leadership and presence on the ice. He is the one who should be captain, not Suzuki, according to Morissette.
Not content with demanding that Nick Suzuki lose his “C” in favor of Kaiden Guhle, Louis Morissette and Simon Gagné have further expanded their attack by also targeting Cole Caufield and the entire reconstruction of the Montreal Canadiens.
According to them, neither Suzuki nor Caufield are good enough to represent the core of a competitive team.
Suzuki and Caufield are good players, but they can’t be the heart of your team. If you want to win, they must be complementary players, not the pillars on which you build your future according to Gagné.
This video clip is merciless.
These comments, already scathing, are accompanied by a total rejection of the organization’s current strategy. For both men, the reconstruction of CH is doomed to failure as long as it is based on hopes that they consider overvalued and young players incapable, according to them, of carrying the team on their shoulders.
For Gagné, the Canadian must aim much higher if he wants to become a serious contender in the National League again.
These comments come on top of a series of media offensives that have transformed Suzuki’s season into a real obstacle course.
After criticism from Michel Bergeron, accusations of nonchalance and even discussions about his salary as the highest paid player in CH, Suzuki once again finds himself isolated in a hostile media climate.
However, Suzuki, despite his natural discretion, has shown time and again that he is a dedicated and exemplary player.
Arber Xhekaj, one of CH’s young defenders, recently defended himself by emphasizing his commitment on and off the ice:
“You see the way he plays. He takes care of his body and does everything to be at the top of his form. It’s inspiring. »
Morissette, although known more for his comedic performances than his hockey expertise, sparked debate by suggesting that Kaiden Guhle take the role of captain.
For some, this demonstrates legitimate frustration with Suzuki’s performance, but for others, it is a gratuitous and unwelcome attack.
Suzuki is still young and learning how to lead a team. Taking away the C would be catastrophic for his confidence and for the atmosphere in the room.
Kaiden Guhle, while indeed a rising star, is still far from having the experience and consistency necessary to carry the burden of captaincy in a demanding market like Montreal.
The criticism of Suzuki raises a larger question: What is a captain in the modern NHL? Unlike past eras, where captains like Mark Messier or Joe Sakic were both vocal leaders and physical forces, today’s demands are different.
Suzuki, through his intelligent playing style and discipline, represents a new generation of captains, more calm and analytical.
However, that doesn’t seem to be enough for some observers like Gagné and Morissette, who are looking for a more flamboyant personality to guide the team.
Nick Suzuki will probably never be able to please everyone. His detractors, like Simon Gagné and Louis Morissette, seek to revive a traditional image of the captain, forgetting that leadership can take several forms.
Despite these criticisms, Suzuki continues to cope with dignity, supported by his teammates and those close to him.
But how long can such a young player withstand such pressure in a market as intense as Montreal?
With some already calling for a change for the captaincy, Suzuki has a golden opportunity to prove his worth by continuing to lead by example.
But one thing is clear and clear: the weight of the “C” has never been so heavy to carry.
To fully understand the extent of the current criticism towards Nick Suzuki, we must go back to one of the most striking moments of the season: the acerbic comments of Michel Bergeron, former coach and analyst at TVA Sports.
Bergeron created a real shockwave by publicly attacking Suzuki after the latter preferred a luxurious vacation in the Dominican Republic, in a room for $4,000 a night, rather than representing Canada at the World Championship.
“When I think of great athletes like Alex Ovechkin, who rush to join their national team after an elimination, and I see Suzuki saying that he is tired… tired of what? » he said in a statement that went viral.
These remarks ignited the powder, fueling a debate on Suzuki’s leadership and his commitment to his team and his country.
The saga didn’t end there, as Bergeron continued to hammer home his point, saying Suzuki wasn’t cut out to be captain of the Canadiens.
Faced with these attacks, Nick Suzuki initially remained discreet, but visibly touched by the scope of these criticisms.
When asked about Bergeron’s comments, Suzuki responded calmly but firmly:
“I made a decision for my mental and physical health. I wanted to be ready for the season. I am at peace with this choice. »
These words marked a clear break between external criticism and the internal support Suzuki enjoys within the organization.
The saga took an even more dramatic turn when Kent Hughes, general manager of the Canadiens, himself suggested that Suzuki’s refusal to participate in the World Championship could have worked against him for selection with Team Canada.
This statement was seen by many as indirect support for Bergeron’s comments.
For Suzuki’s detractors, this episode was further proof that he lacked essential qualities to be a captain.
But for his fans, it above all showed the disproportionate pressure exerted on a young player who must not only perform on the ice, but also meet the cultural and symbolic expectations of a market like Montreal.
Bergeron’s attack is part of a broader context where Suzuki has been criticized for his lack of combativeness and his absence of vocal charisma.
Simon Gagné and Louis Morissette by adding fuel to the fire, outright asking that the “C” be removed from his jersey to give it to Kaiden Guhle, is the straw too many in the pot of pressure for Suzuki.
To us, these criticisms are unfair and a desire to find a scapegoat in a rebuilding team.
Although the captain has shown great maturity in responding to these criticisms, the recent attacks from Simon Gagné and Louis Morissette show that the pressure remains immense.
Nick Suzuki finds himself at a crossroads where he will not only have to prove that he is the right choice as captain, but also that he can withstand the media storms of a demanding market like Montreal.
He responded to Bergeron. But he will not respond to Gagné. Even less to Morissette, since he doesn’t know who it is.
He will want to silence the bad tongues on the ice.
Like he always did.
