Why Cole Caufield is automatically a top prospect for the Montreal Canadiens

Cole Caufield fell into the laps of the Montreal Canadiens, and his skill set is something the organization needs making him one of if not their top prospect.

Drafting is a combination of awareness and thought, but it also comes with a lot of luck. The Montreal Canadiens were lucky to watch 12 other players have their names called up spreading waves of panic anytime a general manager (or other representatives) uttered the words, “From the US National Development Program.” But now that Cole Caufield officially belongs to the Habs, it’s not a stretch at all to say he is the team’s top prospect.

In the past, the Canadiens were in desperate need of centres. They had players playing the position here and there, but they didn’t have much going for them or someone who could be talented enough to hold the “franchise” mantel. Trevor Timmins has changed that narrative around quickly with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Ryan Poehling while Marc Bergevin‘s Max Pacioretty trade (which looks better and better each week) brought Nick Suzuki to the team.

This year’s draft possibly put an emphasis on left-shot mobile defenceman, but that could still be addressed in rounds two-seven. The Montreal Canadiens do have a growing Victor Mete at their disposal, Gustav Olofsson, Brett Kulak, as well as Jordan Harris who they took in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft. Whether they have potential as top-pairing defenceman is up in the air but Mete seems to be the Habs best bet.