Canadiens, Suzuki agree to 8-year, $63M extension
The Montreal Canadiens have agreed to terms with center Nick Suzuki on an eight-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $7.875 million, the team announced Tuesday.
When the new contract kicks in next season, it'll make Suzuki the team's highest-paid skater. Only goaltender Carey Price ($10.5 million) carries a higher AAV.
The 22-year-old posted 41 points in 56 games last season. He had a coming-out party in the playoffs, tallying seven goals and nine assists in 22 postseason contests during Montreal's miracle run to the Stanley Cup Final.
He posted very strong defensive metrics last season, too.
Here's how Suzuki projects to age over the duration of the contract:
A little rich for Nick Suzuki as an RFA, but a number he has an okay chance of living up to. He has high-end 1C upside and his deal could be a steal if he gets there. pic.twitter.com/JsobFHsQdU
— dom at the athletic (@domluszczyszyn) October 12, 2021
Suzuki was drafted 13th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. He was shipped to Montreal, along with Tomas Tatar and a second-round pick, in exchange for Max Pacioretty in 2018.