SCoC Draft Profiles: Nick Suzuki is a hard working, smart, two way point-getter

Player Analysis:

This world, with all the good and ill within it, happens to favor the idea that Nick Suzuki could be within Boston’s reach. You should get excited if he stays on the board.

Suzuki is a two-way center who modeled his game on Patrice Bergeron’s, with near universal praise across the board for his two way ability (shocker), his incredible hockey-IQ, his passing ability, his relentless work ethic, and his ability to control the puck in spite of being a bit on the small side. He’s scored best whenever he’s in the thick of play in the slot and in the middle of defenders, and skated circles around players while penalty killing, racking up short-handed bids like it was just something you do. And he did a LOT of scoring this year for the Owen Sound Attack.

Indeed, Suzuki took off like a rocket this year for the Attack, having 96 points and essentially dragging them through the playoffs with an absolutely incredible performance. In his second year in the league.

The only reason he’s really listed this low from what I can gather is principally a matter of getting a bit larger on the weight side (which development in the OHL and AHL can provide), his kind of middling acceleration (he’s fast, it’s just that second or so where he’s gaining speed that’s the issue), and the fact that...well...he’s 5’11 and a little on the skinny side. Other than that the scouts seem to be course correcting on this guy, going from mid-tier 2nd rounder to the top 10 in NHL prospect rankings for NA all in one year.

I for one, find him endlessly entertaining to watch and think he’d look awesome in Black and Gold. After all, he modeled his game on Bergeron. What better way to motivate him to get bigger and better than possibly getting to play with his idol?

Player Rankings:

• Ranked #18 by Hockeyprospect.com
• Ranked #11 by ISS Hockey
• Ranked #19 by Future Considerations
• Ranked #16 by McKeen's Hockey
• Ranked #10 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)

Stats:

Age: 17

Position: Center

Height: 5’11

Weight: 183 lbs.