Although the Montreal Canadiens suffered a disappointing loss against the Boston Bruins, there was a positive takeaway from the game.
Cole Caufield netted two more goals, bringing his total to 16 in just 24 games, putting him on track for an impressive 54 goals this season. This is particularly remarkable as he currently ranks third on the all-time scoring list among Habs players, tied with Brayden Point, while only Sam Reinhart (18) and Leon Draisaitl (17) have more.
Could this be the first time in a while that a Canadiens player is in contention for the Maurice Richard Trophy? If he maintains this scoring pace, he could very well become a finalist. Furthermore, his ongoing success could also catch the attention of the U.S. team for the upcoming 4 Nations Tournament.
Eric Engels remains skeptical about Caufield’s spot on the U.S. roster, a sentiment that many share, given that most projected U.S. lineups don’t include him. Nonetheless, it’s essential to recognize that Caufield is having a standout scoring season.
It’s true that strong international teams often rely on a mix of players, blending skill and defensive abilities. The U.S. has physical players like Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Tage Thompson, Matthew Boldy (who was picked three spots ahead of Caufield in 2019), and J.T. Miller, who contribute differently than just raw talent.
In Craig Button’s projected lineup for Team USA, Caufield is absent while Alex Tuch, a larger player known for scoring, is included, though he often struggles with consistency and injuries. This season, Tuch has 22 points in 24 games, but Caufield has matched that total on a struggling team and has scored twice the number of goals.
With 16 goals so far, Caufield’s performance is significant, especially considering that international matches tend to be more high-scoring. In such situations, a player like Caufield, with his elite shooting ability, would be valuable on the lower lines, as he likely wouldn’t secure a top-six position on the U.S. team.
For him to earn a roster spot, adjustments must be made, but according to Button’s projections, options are limited. Tuch could be one that balances physicality, while Jake Guentzel is another finesse player who might leave room for Caufield on the bottom six. Although Guentzel has put up 22 points in 23 games, I’d prefer Tuch in a depth role over him.
I can envision Caufield on a fourth line paired with Matthew Boldy, given their history together in the American development program. Alongside Dylan Larkin, they would form a very potent fourth line.
