Pierre Lebrun: Cole Caufield is on the outside looking in for USA 4 Nations roster

The Montreal Canadiens have seen Cole Caufield bust through the door this season with a hot start in the goalscoring department.

Caufield seems to be capitalizing on chances that last year just weren't going where he would try to shoot, at some points. Either he would opt to pass, hesitating completely to shoot the puck or into the goalies chest. This season seems to be different, he has a ton of confidence and his 28 goals from last year, while still intact as his career best, that might change.

Speaking of change; it isn't a new thing, but Caufield isn't just scoring, he is involved at both ends of the rink. All while showing off his playmaking skills and great vision, often times making high skll plays at full speed. It's no secret that the league is loaded with talented American players, but in my opinion, adding Caufield to the Team USA roster would be a great add.

Caufield isn't physically imposing, but he is in the middle of everything and he has the tendency to score clutch goals. In a short tournament, having a guy who loves to score in the final minutes, and after regulation time, could come to the benefit of his squad. I also can't lie that I would love to see Quinn Hughes, Patrick Kane and even Jack Eichel working together.

I think that Bill Guerin has many big decisions on the horizon, and I don't think the decision of Caufield will be one that is taken lightly.

Caufield not shooting enough?

The Wisconsin product has 12 goals through 17 games, this has him looking poised to score 28 goals before long in the new year. But he doesn't believe that he is shooting the puck enough, with that in mind, can we expect that he plays even better going forward. The only thing that can come from him shooting the puck more, is more goals, well you would think so, anyways.

I have this feeling of hope that Caufield will score close to 50 this season, and I feel pretty confident about it. I think that being back on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky will be tremendous for his confidence. Rekindling the chemistry that Caufield is most familiar with, can't hurt his production.

Nobody has scored 50 goals in Montreal since Stephane Richer scored 51 during the 1989-90 season. Former captain Max Pacioretty nearly reached 40 goals on three occasions during his nine seasons with the Habs, scoring 33, 35, 37 and 39 goals. It's likely not his focus to score more than Pacioretty, but if everything goes well that could be exactly what happens.