Brad Marchand appears to take a shot at Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki with latest comments

We are starting to get used to it: some teams across the NHL are choosing to name younger captains in recent years. It started with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, more recently with the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid and now Nick Suzuki with the Montreal Canadiens last week.

Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand isn’t impressed by that. He doesn’t believe giving a younger player a teams captaincy is the right move.

“It’s almost unfair to being giving these young kids the captaincy at 20, 21, 22, because they don’t have any idea what it’s like to be a real captain in the NHL,” Marchand commented per Amalie Benjamin.

With Suzuki’s nomination in Montreal, it almost felt like Marchand was taking a shot at the Canadiens.

But by now, Suzuki is getting used to controversy and negative comments. In the hours following the announcement of his becoming the team’s captain, Suzuki was quickly urged by several of Quebec’s major party leaders to learn French to connect with fans. Coalition Avenir Québec leader François Legault said the Habs made an “excellent choice” as he described Suzuki as one of the team’s best players, before adding that the young centre now has to learn French.

Marchand is right: Suzuki has no leadership experience, after he did show strong signs of leadership, leading the Canadiens in scoring with 21 goals and 40 assists for 61 points in all 82 games.

Maybe Suzuki will hear about Marchand’s comments and will be enticed to prove him wrong! Cannot wait to see the rivalry on ice this season!