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The next captain of the Montreal Canadiens

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With Shea Weber officially out of the game, it’s time for hockey’s most legendary franchise to choose its next captain.

The next captain of the Montreal Canadiens

The management group has several paths it can take. They can choose a veteran to be the heart and soul of the team. They can choose a young player to move into the role. Finally, they can also give the “C” to a player that no one would expect. There are several options for the next captain of the Montreal Canadiens.

Nick Suzuki

There’s a lot of irony in naming Nick Suzuki captain. In the trade that sent former captain Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights, general manager Marc Bergevin was aiming for 2017’s 6th overall pick, Cody Glass. When Vegas didn’t agree to the deal, Suzuki was the consolation prize. The Canadiens also sent captain Shea Weber to the Vegas Golden Knights in June, all as part of a salary cap change. Having now completed three full seasons in bleu-blanc-rouge, Suzuki has established himself as a first-line center and within Montreal’s youth core.
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The eight-year, $63 million extension he signed last offseason will go into effect this year, and he’s the Hab locked in for the longest term. Turning only 23 this week, Montreal has Suzuki under contract for his entire career bonus. If he continues to improve, his big contract should age well and he will continue to assert himself as a centerpiece for Montreal.

Suzuki has also proven to be a fan favorite. He spent the summer in Montreal and was the focus of off-season advertising for the Habs.

Although he grew up as a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he has made a face turn of the Canadiens and is now rooting against his boyhood team. He even admitted to cheering on Tampa Bay (which ended Montreal’s Stanley Cup hopes in the 2021 Finals), when they faced Toronto in the first round this year.

Integrating so deeply into the Montreal culture and community makes him a clear favorite to be captain, and the organization that makes him so well known could be a sign of change to come.

Numbers

Drafted 13th overall in 2017 by the Vegas Golden Knights, Suzuki was traded to the Canadiens alongside forward Tomas Tatar and a 2nd round pick. In three seasons in Montreal, Suzuki played 209 games, collecting 49 goals and 94 assists for 143 points. He reached new heights in the difficult 2021-22 season, with career highs in goals (21), assists (40) and points (61). Under Martin St-Louis, Suzuki was almost a point per game, and his advantage is truly enticing.

A brief summary

The case of Suzuki:

  • Locked up for eight years
  • Center player established in the top six
  • Loved by the fanbase
  • Could become a point-per-game player

The case against Suzuki:

Brendan Gallagher

The oldest skater on the Canadiens’ roster, Gallagher has been a fan favorite since he first donned the jersey in January 2013. The plucky, undersized forward has been the beating heart of this team ever since. years and signed a six year extension that started last season. ‘Gally’ was a key part of the 2020-21 Cup Finals squad, and no matter what letter is on his shirt, he will always be a leader in the dressing room and in the community. His effortless style of play endeared himself to the fan base. Still, Gallagher has a relationship, to put it mildly, questionable with officials. A team captain must command respect from the officials and there is certainly a strained relationship there. There is also his contractual situation. The extension he signed is a big step. With his game (seemingly) down, his contract could be one the Canadiens are looking to change.
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Numbers

In 638 games with the Canadiens, Gallagher had 194 goals and 187 assists for 381 points. He also had 397 penalty minutes. Points aren’t everything for Gallagher, his high-octane physical play has become a league rarity. Unfortunately, Gallagher had an incredibly difficult season in 2021-22, with just 7 goals, 17 assists and 24 points. To captain the Montreal Canadiens, a player must be more than just a role model, however, this season could have been a fluke. He shot just 4.9% last season, just over half his career percentage of 9.7%. He was also among the players most affected by former coach Dominique Ducharme’s system and showed some improvement under Martin St-Louis.

A brief summary

Gallagher’s case:

  • oldest striker
  • Leader in and out of the locker room
  • Heart of the team

The case against Gallagher:

  • Maybe in regression
  • Possible bias of the referee against him
  • Does not match the team’s schedule
  • Doubtful contract

Joel Edmundson

He may not be the most exciting option, but Joel Edmundson deserves to have his name in this conversation. The 29-year-old could be a stopgap solution if management deem Nick Suzuki not ready, and he is highly respected in the dressing room. One thing that Edmonson also has on this teammate is his championship pedigree. He was a key member of the 2019 Stanley Cup-winning St. Louis Blues team. According to the Habs management’s core values, his Stanley Cup experience could carry a lot of weight when making the decision.

Numbers

Joel Edmundson’s time in Montreal hasn’t been the most consistent. Coming into the 2019-20 season, the defender has come through a year shortened by the pandemic and a year where he was sidelined with injury for most of the season. In 79 games with the Habs, he established himself as a reliable player in all situations. His 19 points and 60 PIM are complemented by a stellar rating of +27.
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A brief summary

Edmundson’s case:

  • reliable player
  • well respected
  • Presence of veterans
  • Championship Pedigree

The case against Edmundson:

  • Slightly disappointing choice
  • Generally limited to one role among the bottom four

Canadians must choose their captain

With so many options on the table, including waiting another year to appoint a permanent captain, management has a tough decision to make. If I had to choose, I’d definitely choose Nick Suzuki, as I think he’ll be the face of a franchise for most of the next decade – however, after passing away in 2018, Gallagher deserves more than the title too. Hopefully the next captain of the Montreal Canadiens will be named soon and the debate will end.

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