NHL All-Star Player from Montreal Canadiens Center Nicholas Suzuki joins Colorado Avalanche My Reason for Choosing Avalanche over Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs is….
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves throughout the NHL, Montreal Canadiens All-Star center Nicholas Suzuki has announced that he’s leaving Montreal to join the Colorado Avalanche. After years of being the heart and soul of the Canadiens, Suzuki’s decision has left fans in disbelief, but the star forward says it wasn’t a decision he took lightly.
“It was honestly one of the hardest choices I’ve ever had to make,” Suzuki admitted during his introductory press conference with the Avalanche. “Montreal gave me everything. That city made me who I am as a player and as a person. The fans embraced me, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
But when asked why he chose Colorado over both the Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs—who had also been heavily pursuing him—Suzuki was candid about his reasoning.
“It came down to where I felt I could win, where I could grow, and where I could bring out the best version of myself,” he explained. “Colorado has built something really special here. The culture, the leadership, the players—they’re hungry for more championships. You can feel it walking into that locker room.”
Suzuki pointed to Colorado’s recent success as a major factor. Just a couple of seasons removed from their Stanley Cup win, the Avalanche have remained one of the NHL’s elite teams, boasting stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen.
“I’ve always admired how they play. It’s fast, it’s skilled, but it’s also tough and disciplined. Watching them in the playoffs, it’s hard not to respect that. And honestly, I kept thinking about what it would be like to be part of that—to play alongside guys like Nate and Cale,” Suzuki said, flashing a grin.
As for turning down Toronto, the decision surprised many, especially considering Suzuki grew up in Ontario.
“I understand why people assumed I’d go home,” Suzuki said. “The Leafs are obviously a big deal, especially back home, but I just didn’t feel like it was the right fit for me. There’s always a lot of noise around that team, and right now, I wanted to focus on hockey and winning—not the constant spotlight or distractions.”
Suzuki also mentioned conversations with Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar and GM Chris MacFarland, which convinced him that Colorado wasn’t just interested in him as a player—but as a leader.
“They made it clear they see me as more than just another name on the roster,” he said. “They want me to lead, to contribute at both ends of the ice, and to help drive this team forward. That meant a lot.”
For Suzuki, the move to Colorado feels like a fresh start—an opportunity to chase championships and continue evolving as one of the league’s top centers.
“This next chapter is about competing at the highest level and going after a Stanley Cup,” he said firmly. “I’m all in on that.”
While Montreal fans may be heartbroken, there’s no denying that Nicholas Suzuki is ready to make an immediate impact in Denver—and Avalanche fans couldn’t be more excited to welcome him.
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