A new chapter for Nick Suzuki's brother
Drafted in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019, Nick Suzuki's younger brother, Ryan Suzuki, has just agreed to a one-year deal with the team. If he secures a spot with the main squad, he will earn $775,000.
Many Montreal Canadiens fans were hoping to see the captain's younger brother join the team during the summer. He recorded 30 points, including 14 goals, in 51 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Given the depth and talent level in Carolina, Ryan Suzuki never really had his chance in the organization. The addition of players like Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jake Guentzel has pushed him down Don Waddell's depth chart. Young prospects such as Seth Jarvis, Jackson Blake, and Jack Drury have surpassed him in the hierarchy.
Nick Suzuki's Younger Brother, Ryan Suzuki, Signs Contract with Carolina Hurricanes
It's still far from guaranteed that he'll make it in the NHL, as the contract signed on Wednesday is a two-way deal. This means it's highly likely he will end up in the American Hockey League (AHL).
His salary in the AHL will be $70,000, while he could earn $775,000 in the NHL if he secures a spot with the Hurricanes.
At 23 years old, Ryan Suzuki made a good impression during his time in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He initially tallied 75 points in 65 games during his draft year, catching the attention of many NHL scouts. Some had him in the top 20, even the top 15. He eventually slipped to 26th overall. The following year, he recorded 58 points in 44 games, completing his junior career with the Barrie Colts and Saginaw Spirit.
After the reunion of brothers Arber and Florian Xhekaj, could we see a second pair of brothers join the Canadiens? Ryan Suzuki's value is relatively low, possibly worth a second-round pick in 2024 or 2025.
However, this might be the least of the concerns for the new general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes. He will need to find solutions to sign a plethora of free agents within the organization. Currently, Seth Jarvis, Jake Guentzel, Jack Drury, Maxime Comtois, Martin Necas, Jordan Martinook, Stefan Noesen, Teuvo Teravainen, Dylan Coghlan, Anthony DeAngelo, Brett Pesce, and Brady Skjei are all without contracts for the next season.
The team already has $61.125 million on the salary cap for the upcoming season. With $26.575 million left for 12 unsigned players, the successor to Don Waddell will have a lot of work to do. One thing is certain, the future of the Hurricanes looks promising.
This will be a story to follow...
| POLL | ||
How much are you ready to pay to acquire Ryan Suzuki? | ||
| 1st round pick | 13 | 3.2 % |
| 2nd round pick | 75 | 18.6 % |
| Jayden Struble | 41 | 10.2 % |
| Jesse Ylonen | 274 | 68 % |
| List of polls | ||
