Sometimes I have to remind myself that Nick Suzuki was playing in the OHL a year ago and him being an NHLer was not a given this summer. Watching him play now, there’s absolutely no doubt that he belongs — none. It’s like he’s been there for two or three seasons already. He makes you easily forget the uncertainty of most rookie debuts, especially when they come straight from Junior.
The seamless transition is even more striking when Suzuki gets to play center. He is a center. Not a perfect one, but you just have to look at him for a few shifts to see it’s natural for him.