NHL analysts name $63,000,000 Canadiens forward as ideal pick for Team Canada Olympic roster

Team Canada's Olympic roster seems more or less settled for the upcoming Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. But there are still a few decisions to be made over the last few spots by general manager Doug Armstrong and assistant Jim Nill.

TSN analyst Mark Denis, on the broadcast on Wednesday, picked Nick Suzuki as a forward on the Olympic roster. The Montreal Canadiens captain, signed to an eight-year, $63 million contract, has 42 points in 31 games for the Habs and was part of the 42-player Olympic orientation camp back in August.

"Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki should be on this year's Team Canada Olympic team," Denis said. "I know they love the group of forwards they had at the Four Nations and I understand that Nick Suzuki is on the outside looking in."

Denis stated that Nick Suzuki's skills as a right-handed center who can play on either of the special teams while taking on the toughest matchups on five-on-five play could be key during Canada's run. Fellow analyst Frankie Corrado also noted that if Suzuki is not used as a center, his puck play near the boards could add to his versatility.

"If Team Canada's really crowded down the middle of the ice, because you're gonna have McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, among other centermen that will be there," Corrado agreed. "There's versatility with Nick Suzuki, and you full well know that even though he doesn't play wing, you put him on the wall, he can make plays of significance."

Suzuki's 200-foot game will certainly balance the Canadian lines, which is expected to be heavy on offense. He has played 3:09 average time on ice on the power play and 0:46 average time on ice on the penalty kill per game this season. As of Dec. 17, Suzuki had a plus-3.4 defensive rating.

NHL writer fits Nick Suzuki into Team Canada as third center

The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn, in his Dec. 17 column, discussed Team Canada's roster and the best possible combinations they can have at the campaign. According to him, Suzuki should take the 3C spot behind Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.

"At 3C, I’m keeping Nick Suzuki. He may not get much PK usage, but based on his defensive utility at five-on-five, I have high confidence in him working well there as the secondary option. He has some history in the role and this year he’s one of the Selke front-runners," he wrote.

All teams have till the New Year's Eve to finalize their rosters. Team Canada has locked in Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Sam Reinhart, Cale Makar and Brayden Point as the first six players back in June.

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Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy