Suzuki’s Habs Early Path: A Bergeron Blueprint?

When Jonathan Drouin likened Nick Suzuki to Patrice Bergeron in 2021, it sparked intrigue. As we have recently highlighted, the Canadiens’ center has taken over Carey Price as the face of the Montreal Canadiens and has done so with the class of a true captain.

Three years after Drouin’s comparison, as Suzuki completes his 436th NHL game—mirroring Bergeron’s early career sample size—the comparison feels less like hyperbole and more like a fascinating study in leadership, two-way excellence, and the evolution of a franchise cornerstone. While their eras and team contexts differ, the parallels between the Montreal Canadiens’ captain and the Boston Bruins legend are worth unpacking.

The Statistical Mirror

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Bergeron and Suzuki through their first 436 NHL games:

Leadership: The Quiet Force

Both players embody the “lead-by-example” type leadership. Suzuki became the Canadiens’ youngest captain in 2022 at 23, tasked with steering a rebuilding franchise. Bergeron, though not named Bruins captain until age 35, had long been Boston’s de facto leader, earning the “C” after years of Selke dominance. Their reserved demeanours mask an intensity that galvanizes teammates—Suzuki through clutch performances (see: 2021 Stanley Cup Final) and Bergeron via relentless consistency.

Offensive Prowess vs. Defensive Pedigree

Suzuki’s offensive output edges Bergeron’s early numbers, with higher points-per-game (0.81 vs. 0.75) and even-strength production. His role as Montreal’s offensive engine explains his limited penalty-killing time (1:01 vs. Bergeron’s 2:05), as the Habs prioritize his stamina for 5v5 and power-play dominance.

Defensively, Bergeron’s foundation was already elite: a +11 rating, Selke-caliber metrics, and a 54.2% faceoff win rate—a stark contrast to Suzuki’s -69 and 48.9% FO%. Context matters, however. Bergeron entered a Bruins team transitioning toward contention, while Suzuki’s early years coincided with Montreal’s roster turnover and a rebuild. The Habs’ defensive woes and goaltending switch due to Carey Price’s career-ending injury inflate his minus rating, just as Boston’s structure better supported Bergeron’s.

The Road Ahead

Suzuki may never replicate Bergeron’s four Selke Trophies, but his two-way growth is evident. He averages more blocked shots and hits than Bergeron did, and his shorthanded goal tally (6) hints at how dangerous he is while killing penalties. Improving his faceoff proficiency could unlock another dimension, bridging the gap in puck possession reliability.

Conclusion

Comparisons across eras are imperfect, but Suzuki’s trajectory mirrors Bergeron’s in one vital way: he’s the heartbeat of his team. While Bergeron refined his game into a defensive masterpiece, Suzuki’s offensive flair and underrated grit make him a modern-day catalyst. The Habs’ captain may never be Bergeron 2.0, but he’s carving a legacy that could one day make such comparisons a compliment to both.