A former Ottawa Senator points out the one flaw in Nick Suzuki’s game

And yet, former Ottawa Senators senior vice-president of player development Pierre McGuire believes the Canadiens captain can still improve.

The numbers speak for themselves.

The captain recorded 101 points in 82 games, setting a career high.

McGuire still believes there’s another level Suzuki can reach.

The captain would benefit from shortening his shifts while maintaining maximum intensity for 35 to 40 seconds.

The idea behind it is simple.

Shorter shifts would make Suzuki more consistent from one moment of the game to the next.

Far from criticism, the observation highlights the weight of his role.

Suzuki is matched against the opposition’s best players and used in every situation, game after game.

Shorter shifts could unlock more from Nick Suzuki

Few players carry their team as much as he does.

Used on both the power play and penalty kill, he’s almost always on the ice when the game matters most.

Despite that massive workload, he delivers.

The captain produces offensively while handling heavy defensive responsibilities.

That’s exactly where the adjustment could pay off.

A more explosive and better-rested Suzuki would become even harder to contain on every shift.

The impact would be felt most in the biggest moments.

Late in games or during the playoffs, every detail makes a difference.

Optimizing an already elite player may sound difficult, but it remains incredibly important.

Knowing how seriously Suzuki approaches the game, he’ll likely listen to that kind of advice.

It’s hard to imagine an even better version of Suzuki, and yet, if McGuire is right, the captain’s best may still be ahead of him.