Montreal Canadiens fans might remember TSN analyst Craig Button best for boldly declaring that the Habs wouldn’t win a single game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021 playoffs — a prediction that aged like milk.
Now, Button is back with another fiery take, this one aimed at Team Canada’s decision to leave Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki off its roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
Appearing as a guest on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro on Wednesday shortly after the lineups for USA, Finland, Sweden, and Canada were revealed, Button came down hard on GM Don Sweeney’s choice to select Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis over the Habs’ point leader.
“Really? You’re picking Seth Jarvis over Nick Suzuki? There is not a person on this planet that’s going to convince me that that is a choice that should’ve been made,” Button exclaimed.
Craig let's Team Canada hear it 😳@CraigJButton: "Really? You're picking Seth Jarvis over Nick Suzuki? There is not a person on this planet that's going to convince me that that is a choice that should've been made#GoHabsGo #4Nations #thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/za6GH223DH
— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) December 5, 2024
His surprise is understandable, given Suzuki’s stellar start to the season. In fact, the 25-year-old, who is averaging more than a point per game, is outpacing stars like Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, Brayden Point, and Sam Bennett — all of whom were chosen to represent Canada this winter.
Jarvis, meanwhile, has a solid 16 points in 18 games but is expected to serve as the 13th forward, likely sitting out some games as a healthy scratch.
“There’s no way… Seth is a good player [but] right now, he’s not a better player than Nick Suzuki,” Button added.
The snub argument didn’t stop there, though, as Button also questioned other players selected over the Canadiens centre, such as Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel, who play under Canada head coach Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay.
“They’re good players, right? But they’re not better than Nick Suzuki either. There is no bloody way I’m not having Nick Suzuki on my team.”
The 4 Nations Face-Off, scheduled from February 12 to 20, will see Canada, the USA, Sweden, and Finland compete, with games taking place in Montreal and Boston.