The verdict is in for Nick Suzuki and it's shocking

This is excellent considering the Canadiens are not an offensive powerhouse and he faces the best opposing players night after night.

Moreover, the list of the three finalists for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best defensive player, surprised many.

Aleksander Barkov won the trophy, and rightfully so. He was simply sensational. However, Jordan Staal and Auston Matthews are problematic.

Staal plays on the Hurricanes' third line and averaged 14 minutes per game this season. Additionally, he doesn't play against the top opposing players and finished with a -14 rating. Ouch!

For Auston Matthews, his name is far from the top if you need the best possible defensive forward. While he is good and effective across 200 feet, he remains a threat far from his zone.

Nick Suzuki now knows where he finished on this list, and it is ultimately in 13th place. This means many unexpected players ranked ahead of him, whereas many expected to see him among the finalists.

The good news in all this is that Nick has not finished progressing and will continue to solidify his game across 200 feet.