The decision to exclude Nick Suzuki from the Four Nations Showdown has left many, including the Montreal Canadiens’ captain himself, feeling disappointed.
Yet, one might wonder if Suzuki contributed to his own omission. As highlighted in a recent article, he openly expressed his discontent and criticized the executives for overlooking him and Cole Caufield.
“I face the best players in the world every night, so I believe I’m demonstrating my abilities. I’m ready to compete!” He further elaborated on this issue in an article by Alexandre Gascon from Radio-Canada.
“It’s painful not to be included in this team, especially with the tournament taking place in Montreal, but being selected isn’t easy. I’m sure many players are feeling let down right now. I’m trying not to dwell on it and focus on our team.”
– Nick Suzuki
Is Nick Suzuki entirely at fault?
The choice by Canada to favor Seth Jarvis over Suzuki could provoke some commentary. However, Suzuki may need to reflect on his own performance as well.
Early in the season, he experienced a sluggish start. Throughout October and November, many noted he wasn’t playing at his usual level.
He even confessed to Jean-François Chaumont of NHL.com that he was looking to regain his form.
His captaincy came with challenges, especially as the team faced difficulties.
“It certainly makes things tougher. I’m trying to cope. It’s challenging to stay focused on my game. I have a significant influence in the locker room. I strive to say and do the right things, but I don’t feel like I’m playing at my best. When things are going well, it’s easier to fulfill this role. I just aim to maintain a positive attitude and support the team; we’re like a family.”
– Nick Suzuki
Additionally, a seemingly minor detail might have influenced Hockey Canada’s decision.
Did Suzuki’s prior refusal impact his candidacy?
Last spring, after the Canadiens’ season, Suzuki politely declined an invitation to join Team Canada for the World Hockey Championship.
While some argue that this should not bear weight on selection, it could indeed affect players vying for a spot. Having a player eager to represent Canada is undoubtedly advantageous.
However, Suzuki’s future isn’t entirely settled.
To be fair, he has been performing impressively in recent games, particularly since learning he wouldn’t make Team Canada and with Patrick Laine back in action.
According to hockey analyst Chris Johnston, Suzuki still has a chance to be part of the tournament.
Together with Robert Thomas, Wyatt Johnston, and John Tavares, they are on standby in the event of injuries.
To earn a place in Team Canada, Suzuki will need to maintain his strong play and prove to the management that he deserves the opportunity.
Nonetheless, it’s acknowledged that he still has some work to do. Moreover, as reported by Darren Dreger on TSN 690, Team Canada executives were disappointed with Suzuki’s decision to turn down their invitation to the National team for the 2024 World Championship:
The Canadian team reached out to over a dozen players to inform them of their non-selection, and Suzuki was not included in that list. They expressed disappointment over his decision not to participate in the World Championship.
