Montreal Canadiens

Suzuki Is One of Team Canada’s Most Interesting Olympic Players

Nick Suzuki didn’t make the Four Nations roster, but he’s playing like he’s ready to shock the Olympics. Canada might have something here.

by
Old Prof
February 10, 2026

Every Olympic year, we all check the rosters to see who might break out. Nick Suzuki should be on that list. The Montreal Canadiens’ captain has been excellent this season. Now, at 26, he’s settling into that sweet spot where confidence and experience finally line up.

Funny thing is, he didn’t even make the Four Nations Face-Off roster earlier. A lot of folks wrote him off right there. But hockey has this way of humbling experts. Since February, Suzuki’s been playing like someone who took that snub personally—and decided he wasn’t going to let anyone forget his name again.

Here’s why I’m watching him closely.

First, Suzuki Can Score

Suzuki has been piling up points like they’re going out of style. Since the NHL got going again after that little midseason break, he’s put up 102 points in 83 games. That’s star-level production, no debate needed. This season alone, he’s sitting at 65 points in 57 games. Those aren’t empty points either—he’s producing in tight games, late in periods, and in spots where coaches usually shorten the bench. That tells me he’s earning trust, not just collecting stats.

Second, Suzuki Is Skating with Two Great Players

In Canada’s first Olympic practice, they tossed him onto a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand. That’s not a “let’s see what happens” trio—that’s a message. You don’t give a player those linemates unless you’ve got real confidence that he’ll keep up. And Suzuki didn’t look out of place at all. When you skate with stars, sometimes your game rises naturally. That’s what I see happening here.

Can Suzuki Have a Breakout for Team Canada?

Suzuki isn’t just smart; he can flat-out move. He’s hit 20 miles per hour or more 143 times this season and logged over 187 miles of total skating distance. That tells you two things: he’s quick, and he works. In the Olympics, where games are fast, and ice is bigger, that combination becomes a real asset.

Suzuki isn’t the loudest name on Team Canada, but he could be one of the most important. He’s got the touch, the hustle, the support, and the speed to thrive on the Olympic stage.