The 2024 year was supposed to be different for the Montreal Canadiens. They believed their rebuild was starting to end, and they wondered whether 2024 would end with them looking ahead to a run at the playoffs in 2025. The year ended with a string of wins that elevated them to sixth place in the Atlantic Division, but they are still seven points behind in a playoff race. This series will examine how each player performed over the 2024 calendar year. Next up is scoring winger Cole Caufield.
Caufield hasn't been producing points at the same pace as linemate Nick Suzuki, but that doesn't mean he has been any less valuable. The Canadiens would love to see him score at more of a significant pace than 35 goals and 34 assists in 79 games, and he'll only become more of a threat as he gets more comfortable in the league. Caufield hasn't scored in six games to end 2024, and it could be a result of Patrik Laine being the new sniper on the powerplay.
Caufield needs to start producing at 5 on 5, which will become easier now that he is back with Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky. The line had some success towards the end of last season, but Martin St. Louis decided to try some new connections to start the year to maximize the team's offensive potential. It didn't work out, so he returned to his go-to line from last season, hoping that Laine could be the help that lines 2-4 needed.
Cole Caufield's 2024 Highlights
Caufield started the 2024-25 season on fire, grabbing the league lead in goals after the season's first month. He had 11 goals by November 10 but has just 17 a month and a half later. He is now up to 17 goals and 13 assists in 33 games, which puts him on pace for career highs in goals and points. He had four goals in the first three games, which had people wondering if we were finally about to see the Cole Caufield breakout.
In case you missed it, Cole Caufield now leads the League in goals with a dozen 👀 pic.twitter.com/XIrzSdh7SJ
— NHL (@NHL) November 11, 2024
Caufield took on a different look in 2024, as he switched his number to 13 in honor of the late Johnny Gaudreau. In a season of up-and-down moments on the ice, Caufield's touching tribute to his hockey hero will be a lasting memory.