The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Cole Caufield to a three-year entry level contract (ELC) worth $925,000, starting in the 2020-21 season.
Caufield was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2019 with the 15th overall pick. Caufield was a top talent in that draft, however, he greatly fell due to his small frame. Caufield is only 5-foot-7 and weighs 165 pounds, which concerned many scouts. However, the best of his game is his incredible shot and goal scoring ability. The Canadiens took a chance with Caufield at the 15th pick and it is certainly paying off.
After being drafted, in his first season in the NCAA, Caufield put up a respectable 36 points in 36 games. The next season, Caufield would explode with 30 goals and 52 points in 31 games. These insane numbers are landing Caufield as the front-runner for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which goes to the top college player.
Caufield is expected to report to the Laval Rockets (Canadiens AHL affiliate) after he completes his quarantine. But, he could potentially make the NHL roster once he gets used to professional hockey. Caufield’s insane shot would be very useful to the Canadiens roster and his cheap salary would be beneficial to the team.
Projected Canadiens Lines with Cole Caufield (fully healthy)
Drouin-Suzuki-Anderson
Tatar-Danault-Gallagher
Toffoli-Kotkaniemi-Caufield
Lehkonen-Staal-Perry
Edmundson-Weber
Chiarot-Petry
Romanov-Mete
Price
Allen