Nick Suzuki is enjoying a highly productive 2025-26 season so far. The habs captain has nine goals and 37 points in 33 games this season, putting him on track for 92 points this season.
It’s especially impressive when you consider that he’s doing all this while being the favorite for the Selke Trophy… and that he’s been nursing an injury for most of the year.
So, in the eyes of many, Suzuki should be on the Canadian team for the next Olympics. But according to Pierre LeBrun, who discussed the matter on the Early Trading segment, it’s more complicated than that.
In fact, according to LeBrun, Suzuki’s place is not yet secure. Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson are ahead of him in the pecking order (they’re pretty secure, too), and the Habs captain is one of those still fighting for a spot.
He’s in the same category as Bo Horvat right now.
What LeBrun is saying is that there’s a world in which Suzuki and Horvat will make the team. In fact, that’s because, with Wilson likely to get the job, there’s no guarantee that Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett will make the team either.
There’s a lot of movement on that front, and it could open up positions.
But what’s interesting is that Suzuki continues to have to fight for a position. Despite his fine season, there’s still work to be done if the Habs captain is to represent his country in February.
Connor Bedard, by the way, has not overtaken Suzuki in the pecking order. According to LeBrun, Bedard should be left out of the lineup… but he may well be one of the guys called up as backup in the event of a forward injury.
The next few games could prove decisive for Suzuki, who still has a handful of games between now and December 31 to force management’s hand. Let’s see if this will be a source of motivation for #14.
Overtime
– What do you think?
“We see way too much Adam Nicholas and not enough Martin St-Louis” in practice https://t.co/y0CKfF0ZDX
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 18, 2025
– Still.
19-year-old Marek Vanacker and 18-year-old Jake O’Brien have both been cut from Canada’s #WorldJuniors roster despite dominating the OHL this season
Was this the right decision? pic.twitter.com/9RvpUrxiZ4
– BarDown (@BarDown) December 18, 2025
– A name to keep an eye on.
Elliotte Friedman: Re Devils rumors: I have heard Dougie Hamilton’s name; he’s got a 10-team trade list; I think they know if they want to get a deal done for him, it’s probably gonna have to be one of those teams – NHL Now (12/17)
– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) December 18, 2025
– Whew.
Morgan Geekie has simply been on a tear this year
Former Kraken player Morgan Geekie has more goals this season than any Kraken player has points
(h/t: @KrakenCanada) pic.twitter.com/GpnfB10nXn
– BarDown (@BarDown) December 18, 2025
– Really?
The Padres don’t want to improve the club, they want to cut salary. https://t.co/VOiKZHjkqv
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) December 18, 2025
