Canadiens Star Ranked Among Atlantic Division’s Best Centers
Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki had an outstanding 2025-26 season. In 82 games with the Original Six club, he scored 29 goals and set new career highs with 72 assists and 101 points. He also won the Selke Trophy for the first time in his career.
Now, due to his dominant season, he has earned some praise.
Advertisement
In a recent article for The Hockey News’ main site, Ryan Lambert named Suzuki as the second-best center in the Atlantic Division. The only center Lambert had ahead of Suzuki in the Atlantic Division was Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov.
Suzuki ranked ahead of Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews in Lambert’s rankings, who had a down 2025-26 season.
When looking at the season Suzuki put together, it makes sense that he has made Lambert’s top three Atlantic Division center rankings. He undoubtedly took his game to a new level.
It will now be interesting to see what Suzuki does for an encore this upcoming campaign after his outstanding 2025-26 season. If he has another year like he did this season, it could very well help him rank ahead of Barkov in next year’s rankings.
