Team Canada’s Olympic roster is arguably the deepest in hockey history, but head coach Jon Cooper’s latest lineup decisions are already sparking a heated debate. Despite being the second-most productive Canadian player on the power play in the NHL this season—surpassed only by Connor McDavid—Nick Suzuki has been shockingly excluded from Canada’s initial man-advantage units.
The decision has left fans and analysts buzzing: How can a player outperforming the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Mark Scheifele in power-play production be kept on the bench during the most critical moments of the game?
A lethal line with a glaring catch
On paper, Suzuki’s presence is undeniable. During even-strength practice, the Montreal Canadiens captain has been skating alongside superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand—a trio that promises to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. However, the «luxury» of Canada’s depth has become a double-edged sword for Suzuki.
While he is a proven weapon with the man advantage, the coaching staff appears to be pigeonholing him into a «shutdown» role. By utilizing Suzuki’s workhorse mentality for penalty killing and defensive stability, Cooper is gambling that he doesn’t need Suzuki’s offensive spark to win gold.
The risky gamble of «Balance»
The logic from the Canadian camp seems to be one of preservation and role-filling. With a constellation of stars at his disposal, Cooper is attempting to maintain a delicate balance, potentially saving Suzuki for high-pressure defensive situations to avoid burnout.
But let’s be honest: keeping the NHL’s second-most efficient Canadian power-play producer off the special teams is a high-stakes move. If Canada’s power play sputters in the opening matchup against Czechia, the pressure to reinstate Suzuki will be immediate and deafening.
Nothing is set in stone
While Suzuki’s current exclusion is frustrating for fans who have watched him dominate the league this year, the Olympic tournament is a sprint, not a marathon. One rough stretch for the top units could see the Habs’ captain quickly elevated to his rightful place on the first unit.
For now, Nick Suzuki remains a «secret weapon» on the bench—a luxury that only a nation like Canada could afford, but one that could easily backfire if the goals don’t start flowing early in Milan.