Montreal Canadiens: With Joel Edmundson Out Who Joins Leadership Group?

While Montreal Canadiens defenseman Joel Edmundson’s departure from the organization is a sign that the young guys will play a bigger role, his absence leaves a vacant jersey letter and leadership role. The Habs employ a multitude of different players, with a nice blend of youth, and some veterans. With that said, it’s anybody’s guess who wears the vacant letter in October.

It’s very possible the Habs wait until opening night to surprise the fans. But one thing is certain, that vacant role holds a ton of weight. Whoever joins the group, will establish themselves as one of the pillars of the Canadiens rebuild.

Let’s not waste any more time, and have a look at the candidate who I think will take on a bigger role in 2023.

The Next To Wear An ‘A’ For Canadiens

There are many options, and I considered the obvious ones, unconventional ones and really all possibilities. Of course, names like Mike Matheson, David Savard, and even Sean Monahan stand out as viable options. However, for me, the most important part of the entire rebuild is for the youth to take hold of the reigns.

With that, there truly is only one option, and he fits the bill. Cole Caufield is the answer, and here’s why. He committed to an eight-year pact with the Habs, and he opted to take less than his captain Nick Suzuki, in a large sign of respect. The extension ensures that he wants to be here for the rebuild, and with such a large deal in place, why not give him the responsibility to help Suzuki lead the Canadiens?

Caufield has shown poise in all situations, and when there is a need for a big goal, the majority of eyes fall upon Caufield. He is clutch and consistently shows up for his team in the big moments. His personality pairs well with his ability to bring the group together for laughs, and his happy energy is infectious.

With the turnaround in Caufield since Martin St Louis took over as head coach, the trust between the two, and the relationship has already been forged. Caufield understands his role, and he is very coachable, he leads by example. There are so many good options to wear a letter on their jersey, but Caufield is the most interesting one, and I think he is ready to lead one of the NHL’s most distinguished franchises back to its glory days.