10 Reasons to be excited about the Habs in 2024-25 - #4: Caufield's quest for 40 goals
Cole Caufield had high hopes to take off with his goalscoring and reach 40-50, but it didn't happen. He grew his playmaking skills and developed a strong two-way game, but he has the motivation to get to the next level on the scoresheet.
The Montreal Canadiens 2019 first-round selection was used on need, though the player - Cole Caufield - was viewed as the best player available.
Goalscoring is the name of his game, he has done it exceptionally well at every level and all signs were on him doing so at the NHL level also. Caufield scored four goals in his first 10 NHL games, arriving just before the Habs Stanley Cup run. Then he scored four goals and eight assists en route to a Stanley Cup final berth.
Expectations have been sky-high since Caufield pulled on a Canadiens sweater and the thought of a 50-goal scorer in the lineup emerged in fans' minds. Stephane Richer scored 51 during the 1989-90 season, but nobody has been able to replicate that stat since. And this past season, Caufield came in healthy, off a shoulder surgery and hopes were high, but he fell two goals short of 30.
40 is in reach, of course it is!
Many variables contributed to Caufield not reaching 40 or 50 goals last season, but getting to within two of thirty isn't a disappointment by any means. If anything, it is a solid season for most players, but not Caufield. The funny thing is though, he had a great year, learned a ton in the playmaking game and brushed up tremendously on a 200-foot game.
With all that learning and helping Juraj Slafkovsky find his game and take a big step in his production was all part of the process. If Slafkovsky can continue growing, which I think he will, there is every reason to believe that Caufield is going to benefit from it. Both Nick Suzuki and Caufield will benefit from Slafkovsky's growth, but the fact that defences will have to inevitably leave a player open to shoot freely will play into each player's hands.
At this point, I can see each player on the top line having 40-goal potential, though I believe that Slafkovsky and Suzuki will score in the 30-35 range. Caufield, however, is wired to shoot first and because of that and the addition of Lane Hutson to the lineup, he will have plenty of opportunities to increase his goal totals. With his shoulder ailments behind him and another full offseason nearly in the books, I would have to think he has his eyes set on reaching new heights.
40 goals? If he can renew the chemistry with the top line from last year and keep firing the puck, with an improved power play, I think it could happen.
manual