On BPM Sports yesterday, former NHL head coach and former Colorado Avalanche coach Bob Hartley made a major statement about a young centre in the lineup. The Quebec instructor compared Nick Suzuki to one of the best centres and leaders in NHL history, Joe Sakic. <a href='https://bpmsports.ca/bob-hartley-nick-le-capitaine/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Here's what Bob had to say about it</a> : <q>You see Suzuki despite the fact that he's a young guy, he sees the <i>game</i> everywhere, he takes care of everybody and that I'll tell you, the Habs hit the nail on the head by putting Suzuki as captain. Suzuki here, I'll give you a comparison: he reminds me more and more of Joe Sakic. -Bob Hartley</q> Visibly surprised by his contributor's statement, the show's host, Martin Lemay, asked him for a little more clarification, wondering if he was talking about the <i>leadership</i> side of things. <q><i>leadership</i> and the <i>game</i> on the ice. Excellent wrist shot, he doesn't have Joe Sakic's wrist shot, not yet. -Bob Hartley</q> If there's anyone who's in a good position to declare something this big without looking like he's in the field, it's Hartley. He coached Sakic for five years, as well as winning a Stanley Cup with him. Let's just say that this kind of statement from someone as well-placed as he is can give you chills about what's to come for Suzuki. <q> I'm telling you, he's got the body language, never excited, the awkward little smile, he takes care of everyone in an orderly fashion, applies himself defensively... The more I watch him, the more I see my old #19 in Colorado. -Bob Hartley</q> One thing is for sure, while it's pretty unrealistic to think that the Habs captain will have as big an impact as Sakic in the NHL, you have to appreciate that he's blossoming this year and will be a sensational player for a long time to come in a Tricolore uniform. Credit: <a href='https://www.letsgohabs.com/lnh/nouvelles/Un-ancien-entraineur-chef-de-la-LNH-compare-un-jeune-centre-du-Canadien-a-Joe-Sakic' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Vincent Fournier</a>