One of the key factors in building a competitive team in the NHL is having a strong first-line center. When assessing a team’s chances for a successful season, analyzing their number-one center is crucial.

For several years, Montreal Canadiens fans have been keenly focused on finding a top-tier center, a position the team has struggled with for some time. While players like Tomas Plekanec, David Desharnais, and Phillip Danault have performed admirably, none have been true number-one centers for a Stanley Cup contender.

So, does Nick Suzuki fit the bill?

The 24-year-old center has made significant strides, becoming the Canadiens’ top center in recent years. Last season, he recorded his first 30-plus-goal, 70-plus-point season (33 goals – 44 assists – 77 points), marking an impressive performance in 2023-2024. However, according to The Hockey News, Suzuki isn’t quite considered a definitive number-one center just yet.

In a recent article, The Hockey News ranked NHL teams based on whether they have a true number-one center. Suzuki and the Canadiens were placed in the “maybe” category, alongside teams with potential but lacking definitive top-tier centers.

The top eight teams with elite number-one centers are:
– Edmonton – Connor McDavid
– Colorado – Nathan MacKinnon
– Florida – Aleksander Barkov
– Toronto – Auston Matthews
– Pittsburgh – Sidney Crosby
– Tampa Bay – Brayden Point
– Vancouver – Elias Pettersson
– Vegas – Jack Eichel

The next tier includes teams with solid number-one centers:
– Carolina – Sebastian Aho
– Dallas – Roope Hintz
– Detroit – Dylan Larkin
– New York Islanders – Bo Horvat
– St. Louis – Robert Thomas
– Winnipeg – Mark Scheifele

Suzuki and the Canadiens are in the “maybe” section, which includes teams with potential number-one centers:
– Boston – Elias Lindholm
– New Jersey – Jack Hughes
– Buffalo – Dylan Cozens
– Ottawa – Tim Stützle
– Washington – Pierre-Luc Dubois

Suzuki is compared to Hughes and Stützle, with the key factor for moving into the “good number-one center” category being team success. If the Canadiens can become competitive and achieve solid playoff runs, Suzuki’s status is likely to improve. The Hockey News noted that Hughes and Stützle need to enhance their defensive play and maintain health—areas Suzuki already excels in.

Overall, this ranking seems fair and well-reasoned, and it’s plausible that Suzuki will rise to the next category in the near future. Until then, unless Montreal acquires another standout center like Ivan Demidov, they may not move into the elite number-one center category. For more details on The Hockey News’ rankings and analysis, check out their comprehensive article.