Cole Caufield has made an impressive start to the season, netting six goals in six games, which ranks him second in NHL scoring, just behind Nikita Kucherov and tied with Artemi Panarin. This is a promising sign!
It appears that Caufield has bounced back nicely from the shoulder injury that hindered him last season, which had affected his scoring average. Last year, his shots on goal average dropped to a mere 8.9%, well below his NHL average of 14.1% and NCAA average of 16.1%.
However, Caufield is back in form! If he continues his goal-scoring pace, he would be a strong candidate for Team USA at the 2025 4 Nations Confrontation. This tournament, organized by the NHL, will feature Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States competing against each other in seven games from February 12 to 20, during a league-wide pause.
Given his impressive start, Caufield not only seems like a fitting choice but almost a necessary addition to the U.S. team. If his performance continues, he could play a pivotal role for Team USA.
For instance, it would be intriguing to see him line up with Auston Matthews as center. The idea of the Canadiens’ forward combining his skills with Toronto’s star player evokes a mix of emotions for many fans.
That being said, it’s still early to make predictions about team lineups, as final rosters can be submitted until early December, with the first six players announced back in June.
If Caufield is selected, it will grant him valuable experience alongside seasoned players on an elite national team, which could help solidify his place among the League’s top talents.
Additionally, there’s potential for a sibling matchup if Caufield and Nick Suzuki, who may be called up for Team Canada, take the ice against each other. While Suzuki’s selection is uncertain, especially after a slower start to his season, it would definitely captivate fans to see the two Canadiens forwards compete in the tournament.
