Montreal Canadiens: What to expect from Cole Caufield in his sophomore year

Cole Caufield is heading back to the University of Wisconsin for another year, and the Montreal Canadiens should see the prospect take another step.

As soon as Cole Caufield made his debut with the Wisconsin Badgers, Montreal Canadiens fans were counting down the days until they’d see the winger in a uniform. Caufield delivered on his expectations producing in the preseason and carried it over to a point-per-game performance for the 2019-20 campaign.

The 19-year-old led the team in goals and overall points with 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points in 36 games. Caufield’s 19 goals tied him for first with Alex Newhook in most goals scored by a freshman while his overall point total had him in the top 30 amongst all players in the NCAA. Those 36 points also saw him crowned as the Big Ten scoring leader for the year.

Watching Caufield preform in Wisconsin triggered the question of whether the Montreal Canadiens would bring him over after one year of college hockey. However, Marc Bergevin shut down the speculation leaning more on the side of Caufield, going back to play another year with the Badgers.

The Habs can’t force Caufield to go, as Bergevin said it was a recommendation. College players can’t attend training camp, so all those things need to be set beforehand. Either way, Caufield understands the decision and looks excited and ready to grow and get himself NHL ready for the day the organization calls his number.

Speaking of numbers, those are what the Montreal Canadiens are going to be preparing for. Many argue the NCAA better prepares players for the grind of the NHL even though there aren’t many games played. The CHL, in particular the OHL, is more skill-based and individual production goes a long way. That said, Caufield is a producer, a game-breaking scorer the Habs need to pan out, and it’s those categories that we’ll all focus on.

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Caufield did most of his damage at even strength with 12 tallies while the remaining 7 were on the power play. Additionally, he had considerable shot output as his 140 were tied for seventh in the NCAA with Minnesota-Duluth junior Nick Swaney. No other freshman shot as much as Caufield as he was the only player that younger to crack the top 50.

Massachusetts’ John Leonard led all college players with 27 goals this past season, and it doesn’t seem too difficult of a task for Caufield. He also has the benefit of playing with Alex Turcotte, who didn’t have a bad freshman year in the slightest.

Improved team play will go a long way, as well. Despite Caufield’s breakout season, the Badgers finished last in the Big Ten with a 7-15-2 record. Something else that may sting is the fact that star defenceman K’Andre Miller is turning pro next season after signing an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers. Those are big minutes and a significant presence the team is losing when it comes to advancing the puck.

That’s not to say it’s an excuse for Caufield to take a step back. In fact, the frustration from not being able to turn pro may give the Wisconsin native an extra chip on his shoulder to show the Montreal Canadiens they were wrong to not let him follow Miller’s footsteps and turn pro.

Nightly domination is what the Habs need to see, and nightly domination is what they’ll get.

It’ll start with another regular season in Wisconsin, which hopefully transitions to a better showing at the World Junior Championships.

Caufield didn’t do too much to stand out amongst his peers on Team USA putting up a goal and an assist in their five games. The United States walked away medal-less, and Caufield left thinking he could do more. Thankfully he brought those feelings to the rest of his Badgers season and building off that will push him to a dynamic sophomore year.

This time next year, Cole Caufield will be in the pros, assuming the Badgers aren’t in the running for the Frozen Four. He’s done enough over his career to prove he’s a fighter, and with the fight of his hockey life coming up next season, Caufield is ready to raise eyebrows.