Canadiens Analysis
Canadiens Captain Suzuki Won’t Play For Team Canada
There’s a lot to like when evaluating Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki’s season.
He finished the year by anchoring one of the best lines in the NHL, and his standing among No.1 centres in the league is no longer disputable
The facts all suggest he’s not just a No.1 centre, he’s producing stats that could build a strong argument to say he’s among the top 10 centres in the NHL.
ON TOPIC: Montreal Canadiens Analysis – Nick Suzuki Is Clearly A No.1 Centre
With that in mind, Suzuki was invited to join teammate Mike Matheson, as well as Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Marc-Andre Fleury at the World Championship, to represent Canada as they attempt to secure a gold medal.
Suzuki decided not to go, as he’s currently nursing a few injuries that he wants to resolve prior to the start of training camp. Say what you will about Team Canada’s perception of Suzuki, but it’s crystal clear that he’s doing everything possible to ensure he can give the Montreal Canadiens his best, and it’s very difficult to criticize such an approach.
Nick Suzuki soigne toujours des blessures et ne rejoindra pas le Canada pour le Championnat du monde.
Nick Suzuki is still nursing injuries and won’t be joining Team Canada at the World Championship.
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) May 8, 2025
It’s also worth keeping in mind that Suzuki is among the iron men in the NHL, and has yet to miss a game since making the NHL in 2019-20. That’s over 450 games in a row, many of them featuring a lineup that was devastated by injuries.
We say Suzuki stayed healthy during that stretch, but a more accurate description would be to say he overcame a litany of minor injuries to avoid missing any games.
Montreal’s health status improved slightly in 2024-25, but not to the point that Suzuki had the luxury to take a single shift off. By taking some recovery time this summer, not only will he be able to spend time with his fiancée, he’s also keeping his eyes on the ultimate goal, which is bringing the Canadiens to the next level in 2025-26.
Those are the same circumstances for all invitees.
Nick said no, it’s his right and that’s fine. I said last year that it would factor into Team Canada roster decisions for 4 Nations and it did. Likewise it will influence the Olympic roster selection process. It’s Team Canadas managements right and it’s fine. Nick is aware of that and it factored into his decision. I don’t think it’s a big deal. Nick is an elite player and we are fortunate to have him. He’s also one of the best captains in the nhl. His priority is the Habs, awesome!
Crosby Declined to Play for Team Canada in 2002 and 2010 IIHF World Cup (this tourny)
Unlike Nick , Crosby chose not to join in 2010 and gave no elaboration as to why.
MTL had just squashed his team advancing to face PHI and Crosby played a hard fought physical series. So no doubt he was injured like Suzuki
Not every Canadian accepts every invite every year.
In 2002 over 60 players declined invites with Crosby to this Tourny
As far as Team Canada goes, They slept on him a long time.
Thats a choice they made, nothing to do with Suzuki
Its his choice to put the team first by ensuring he’s there to lead it.
Without him we’d be lost cause even before with any roster since Koivu
There was no one leading like Suzuki has in all situations at his rate of progression/success
They didnt stop inviting Crosby when he turned down this Tournament Twice.
Given he has played in every Team Canada Roster since turning Pro its likely he declined more then 2 times for all tourney’s , i just know for this Tourney like Nick he said no Twice
There’s chatter that he still might join the team but hasn’t been cleared by the medical staff….
He is missing the opportunity to learn from Crosby and MacKinnon. Would help his development and eventually the Montréal Canadiens
Nick made the right choice. The team he so brilliantly captains should ALWAYS be priority #1. Nick is THE BEST! A Jean Beliveau in the making & a fantastic player we are lucky to have!
No Hutsons being added to the team USA roster? See no mention on the web about either actually taking a road trip.
Lane would immediately be the best D on the team, see roster:
https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2025/wm/teams/roster/61456/united_states