Boost synergy or better player with free ap

Are those boost synergies really that impactful? Im debating if I should replace frozen forces Suzuki from my right wing with icon Lemieux.

I don't have enough ability points to activate any of Suzuki's abilites, so Lemieux with his free ap should be better player. However, if I switch them, I lose defensive boost (Which is only active on 4 players as I have goaltenders with the synergy) what should I do?