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'You run into Nick Suzuki at 3 a.m. in the casino': here’s how the Habs test the prospects in Buffalo

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 10:08 AM ET

As we all know, the Canadiens have a reputation for asking tough questions at the NHL combine in Buffalo.

The club’s mentality? See how prospects react when they’re out of their comfort zone. Understanding how they think under pressure helps them make decisions when it’s time to draft.

And in a market like Montreal, there is pressure.

What you need to know is that the Habs are taking advantage of this to build up a base of information on certain young players. And that’s even though they obviously won’t be able to draft everyone they interview.

Information is power, they say. That’s why, even if the chances are that Caleb Desnoyers won’t end up in Montreal, interviewing him is a good thing.

And now, on the heels of this year’s combine, some prospects have told Anthony Martineau, who is in Buffalo this week for TVA Sports, that they’ve been asked a good question.

The question? If you run into Nick Suzuki at 3 a.m. in the casino and Martin St-Louis asks you, the next morning, if you’ve seen him… what do you say to your head coach by then?

I’m told that, once again this year, the Habs are as rugged as they are original in their approach to prospects.

We test the guys’ character a lot by analyzing how they respond to little arrows.

Otherwise, a question that MTL has been asking some..

– Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) June 4, 2025

I guess the CH took Suzuki’s example because the chances of it happening are slimmer than other guys in the Habs dressing room, but also because he’s the captain.

If I were in the shoes of a prospect, I think I’d respond as Anthony Martineau suggested, by telling the truth. After all, in life, if you’re asked a question like that, your bosses already know the answer.

If he asks me, it’s because he knows I was there and that Nick was there too.

So I answer: “Of course! I was there with him, as you already know. What you also know, because you’ve played for several years, is that all these little moments contribute to building chemistry. .. https://t.co/5lVUYFp7Y2

– Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) June 5, 2025

To me, that’s an excellent question. After all, it’s not an impossible scenario in the NHL, let’s face it.

I’d be curious to know how much the prospects, who are being groomed en masse for the combine, expect to be asked a question like that. Because I think it’s really relevant.

overtime

– Enjoy.

@passion_mlb podcast with @SebasBerrouard

Addison Barger management, Red Sox leadership, Yankees relief and (lack of) offensive support for Paul Skenes are on the menu https://t.co/mIa 2gpfd6S pic.twitter.com/cNktZCUjNJ

– Charles-Alexis Brisebois (@Charles__Alexis) June 5, 2025

– Wow.

Simon Wang began to understand the intricacies of hockey just three years ago.

Since then, his ascent has been meteoric.

“I’ve used 30% of my potential so far .” https://t.co/rnxgCeRPF1

– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) June 5, 2025

– Salary cap in the playoffs to come?

As Bill Daly alluded in a Q&A with @PierreVLeBrun recently, NHLPA’s Ron Hainsey alludes that a mechanism to address the LTIR loophole (playoff cap???) is being worked on in this next CBA.

– Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 4, 2025

– Still.

3 overtime goals in the same playoff year

L. Draisaitl 2025
M. Tkachuk 2023
C. Perry 2017
Mr. Richard 1951
Mr. Hill 1939

– Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) June 5, 2025

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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