Suzuki: 'Exciting time' for Canadiens after offseason additions

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is eager to build on last season's success after the club made some notable additions this summer.

The Habs acquired defenseman star Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders at the draft, then added Zachary Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues to bolster their forward corps.

"It's exciting," Suzuki told The Athletic's Arpon Basu. "We've been trading guys away for a long time, so now that we're adding guys – really good NHL players – to the team, it's exciting for everyone. Talking to Dobber and Bolduc coming in, they're really excited to join the group. It's an exciting time for the Canadiens, the players, and the fans can all see that. Now I'm just excited to get the season going."

The Canadiens hadn't reached the playoffs in a full campaign since 2017 before qualifying in this past spring. Montreal made it in both COVID-shortened seasons, including a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, but finished last in the Atlantic Division for three consecutive years afterward.

Suzuki was the catalyst for Montreal's late-season charge: He was fourth in league scoring after the 4 Nations Face-Off break in February, and finished the season with a career-high 89 points. The 26-year-old received down-ballot votes for both the Hart Trophy and the Selke Trophy.

The Canadiens were ousted in five games by the Washington Capitals in Round 1, and Suzuki has his heights set higher going into next season.

"(Last year) our expectations for ourselves were higher than the media and the fans had, so I don't think it's any different this year," Suzuki said. “I want to be in the same spot or better.

"I think we have the team to do that."