Nelson helped the Avalanche win the Presidents' Trophy for having the best record in the NHL (55-16-11) as well as the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the NHL (197 excluding shootout goals), and finish first with a plus-99 goal differential.
A first-time finalist, he would be the first Avalanche player to win the award.
"He touches every area of the game, right?" Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "It’s penalty kill, key face-offs, up or down and then he’s still chipping in 30-plus goals. So I think he’s a very, very responsible defensive-minded center who, when they have the puck and as soon as the puck changes possession, he’s on offense. I think he’s an unbelievable two-way player and it’s been great coaching him."
Suzuki, who has not missed a game in his seven-season NHL career, led the Montreal Canadiens with an NHL career-best 101 points (29 goals, 72 assists) in 82 games, also topping the team in power-play points (43) and plus-minus rating (plus-37). The center was sixth in the NHL with 1,449 face-offs taken, winning 50.4 percent, and averaged 20:49 of ice time per game, tops among Montreal forwards.
He helped Montreal finish third in the Atlantic Division with a 48-21-10 record and 106 points, their most wins and points since the 2014-15 season. Suzuki would be the first Canadiens player to win the award since Guy Carbonneau in 1991-92.
“I feel that he’s always tried to play to that identity,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “To finally get recognized at this level, I know we’re very excited for him. I know it’s an honor for him.”
Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers has won the award each of the past two seasons.
