Instead of going with a bridge deal, the Montreal Canadiens have secured the services of talented forward Cole Caufield, signing him to an eight-year contract worth a total of $62.8 million. The deal, which carries an average annual value of $7.85 million, comes just under the cap hit of teammate Nick Suzuki, who signed a similar deal worth $7.875 million.
Caufield, at the age of 22, has already proven himself as a formidable goal-scorer. In the 2022-23 season, prior to undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, he notched an impressive 26 goals and contributed 10 assists in just 46 games. This marked the second consecutive year that Caufield led the Canadiens in goals, tying with Suzuki for the top spot this season. His performances before his injury placed him 11th in the NHL in terms of goals scored and eighth in the league for even-strength tallies with 19.
As per CapFriendly, the contract breakdown is below:
- Yr 1: $4.975M + 5M SB
- Yr 2: $4.975M + 5M SB
- Yr 3: $9.975M
- Yr 4: $8.705M
- Yr 5: $6.215M
- Yr 6: $5.985M (15 team NTC)
- Yr 7: $5.985M (10 team NTC)
- Yr 8: $5.985M (5 team NTC)
Having only played 123 NHL games, the Canadiens had seen enough and made the decision to lock in Caufield at this figure during a period when the team is not in contention, allowing them to absorb the financial impact. As the team rebuilds and moves towards contention, Caufield’s contract is expected to become increasingly cap-friendly. With his potential and if he remains injury-free, this deal could be viewed as one of the biggest steals in the future.
With 84 points (53 goals and 31 assists) over his short run, Caufield has already showcased his scoring prowess and offensive capabilities. As he enters his prime, it is anticipated that he will continue to develop into an even more impactful player for the Canadiens.
All in all, the contract signed by Cole Caufield represents a fair agreement that aligns with his potential and future growth. The Montreal Canadiens have secured a talented forward who, if he stays healthy, has the potential to become a key contributor and a valuable asset for the team in the coming years.
Caufield, the recipient of the 2021 Hobey Baker Award, showcased his exceptional talent during his sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin, recording an impressive 52 points (30 goals, 22 assists) in 31 games. Additionally, his remarkable 72 goals for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team in 2018-19 still stand as the program’s all-time single-season record.
