It’s evident that Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are disappointed about not receiving an invitation to participate in the Four Nations Tournament in February, which is quite understandable.
Caufield’s prospects may not be entirely closed off; as the NHL’s leading American scorer, he could still contribute to the national team despite potential defensive shortcomings. He has been mentioned as a potential replacement candidate. However, there’s no mention of Suzuki in the Canadiens section of the article, which raises questions.
Despite this, Suzuki is a skilled player known for his two-way game, and his exclusion suggests there may be reasons beyond mere performance affecting his standing.
Darren Dreger, speaking on TSN 690, sheds light on this issue. He believes Suzuki’s decision to decline an invitation to Team Canada in spring 2024, while preparing for the World Championships, has negatively impacted his chances. It takes considerable talent to turn down Hockey Canada without facing repercussions.
Dreger emphasizes that if you receive a call from Hockey Canada, you should have a compelling reason to decline. Suzuki declined to participate because he wanted to spend time with his girlfriend, who is actually his fiancée. This choice may have worked against him.
It’s also worth noting that players in the NCAA can face disadvantages over CHL players regarding national team selection, a reflection of Canadian hockey norms, as highlighted by #MichaelHage.
Yet, there seems to be a bit of inconsistency, as Samuel Montembeault also turned down the tournament last spring but still made the Four Nations Club. However, being a goaltender and speaking French could factor into that difference.
Moreover, Dreger is uncertain if Suzuki was even informed about his exclusion from the team, as several other players, including John Tavares, received such calls, indicating Suzuki’s current perception by Hockey Canada.
It’s unclear whether Suzuki’s situation will change regarding the Olympics if he decides to participate in the 2025 World Championships, but he might as well plan a vacation with his fiancée for February 2025. If this spurs the Habs captain to elevate his game in the meantime, it would be a positive outcome.
Additionally, Renaud Lavoie notes that if Suzuki were playing under Jon Cooper with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he firmly believes Suzuki would have received an invitation, especially since Cooper is influential in decisions and will have three of his players on the tournament roster.
