2017 NHL Draft Player Profile: Nick Suzuki

*These are not players we think the Flames will draft, but players that could be available when the Flames come to the podium with the 16th pick*

Nick Suzuki is young, like 17 years old young. But if you can play centre, be physical and put the puck in the net, then maybe age doesn’t matter. Suzuki has played 2 seasons for the Owen Sound Attack and he had a major jump in stats from year one to year two. In only one more game (62), Suzuki poured in 45 goals and handed out 51 assists during his sophomore campaign. His playoff totals from 2016-17 were impressive as well, as he collected 23 points (8G 15A) in 17 games. The London, ON product also saw time with Canada’s U18 team where he played in 4 games and had 3 points.

The Flames are pretty set at the centre position with Sean Monahan and Mikael Backlund, plus they still have Sam Bennett trying to find his way and Mark Jankowski knocking at the door. Suzuki, however, could be a valuable pick seeing he’ll need some time in the minors to develop his game before making the jump to the NHL. Suzuki stands at 5’11”, so he’s no giant by any stretch of the imagination, but the Flames have done well with some players under 6 feet tall <cough> Johnny Gaudreau <cough>.

Stats from Elite Prospects

by Mark Parkinson