Cole Caufield: Is this the year?

[StCaufield]

His playmaking development has made the first line more dynamic and less predictable. It’s not all about goals with him

 

[Gaud]

He had 1.5 seasons coming into last year. How else do you calculate it? 48 in 82 coming into last year. Half from his rookie year. All coming with the same coach. Incredible. And he did exactly what he was supposed to. 300 plus shots, coming from in close. Should’ve been a 50 goal year.

It’s moot now anyways. The ‘past performance’ works both ways. We can’t ignore the horrible shot percentage after surgery. Now we have to take a more skeptical view. So I think around 30 is a safe bet. Hopefully we see some improvement. If he hits 40 that’d be great.

Still massively disappointed though. We finally had a guy who seemed like a blue chip to contend for some Richards and we run into injuries at 22 years old. It sucks.

Not a medical expert, but from what i see, the type of shoulder injury he has takes a while but has a reasonable chance to return to normal. It just takes a little longer than a few weeks.

I do think that his shoulder is what has been holding his scoring production down, but i see it as a kind of blessing in a way; it pushed him to learn other skills than scoring in order to be relevant to the team. I saw him get better at passing and playmaking, and i suspect his work in the DZone is also better.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Not a medical expert, but from what i see, the type of shoulder injury he has takes a while but has a reasonable chance to return to normal. It just takes a little longer than a few weeks.

I do think that his shoulder is what has been holding his scoring production down, but i see it as a kind of blessing in a way; it pushed him to learn other skills than scoring in order to be relevant to the team. I saw him get better at passing and playmaking, and i suspect his work in the DZone is also better.

Yeah, he developed his game a lot this year. The shoulder injury might habe helped on that front and he’s also still really young and his game is maturing.

Next year will be interesting. Hopefully we see some progress on his shoulder.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Hughes on Torey Mitchell's podcast said they know Cole can score and started getting back to it. It was a combination of shoulder surgery and an active dedication to being a better defensive player.

 

[Heffyhoof]

I love me some Cole Caufield and will happily admit I was one of the overly optimistic posters who voted 50+. That said, after his current play, this coming year had better be the year or I'd be looking at shipping him out ASAP.

I know he had surgery, but using that as an excuse for an entire season of meh play where he was the clear passenger on his line doesn't jive. God forbid Caufield win a board battle or do anything useful outside of passing and being a shooting option for his two far superior and hard-working linemates. He has it in him to be a dominant force but I've started to lose all patience for players who could be amazing if they just put in the full effort.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I love me some Cole Caufield and will happily admit I was one of the overly optimistic posters who voted 50+. That said, after his current play, this coming year had better be the year or I'd be looking at shipping him out ASAP.

I know he had surgery, but using that as an excuse for an entire season of meh play where he was the clear passenger on his line doesn't jive. God forbid Caufield win a board battle or do anything useful outside of passing and being a shooting option for his two far superior and hard-working linemates. He has it in him to be a dominant force but I've started to lose all patience for players who could be amazing if they just put in the full effort.

It wasn't 'meh' play. It was a 300 plus shot season that ordinarily would've resulted in 50 goals. Doctors say three years to return to normal. Expect 30 something goals next year and it SHOULD go up from there down the road.

 

[Rapala]

Moreover, I completely disagree with your assessment that his style of play changed throughout the year.

So you are telling me you didn't notice a difference in how Cole engaged with 6' plus Dmen over the season.
From the drop of the puck to the final whistle.
Okay then did you even watch the games.
The rest is all speculation I think it's reps that was his problem his accuracy went into the shitter.
No matter where and from how far out or close in he was he missed the net far too often.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

So you are telling me you didn't notice a difference in how Cole engaged with 6' plus Dmen over the season.

From when to when? Beginning to end? It was pretty consistent. There was a point during that skid near the end where his shots dropped but that was a pretty brief period.

Another point during the season he seems to be hurt and missed some practices. But that was near the end and flies in the face of what you’re trying to argue here.

By and large he was pretty consistent in his underlying play.

From the drop of the puck to the final whistle.
Okay then did you even watch the games.
The rest is all speculation I think it's reps that was his problem his accuracy went into the shitter.

It’s not speculative. His numbers were consistent.

No matter where and from how far out or close in he was he missed the net far too often.

Missing the net wasn’t the problem. Snipers miss the net all the time. He still racked up 300 plus shots.

The problem was that he went from scoring at around 20 percent to around five from mid ice. That’s an insane drop. It’s not explained by missing nets because those shots don’t factor into the equation.

 

[Habs Halifax]

From when to when? Beginning to end? It was pretty consistent. There was a point during that skid near the end where his shots dropped but that was a pretty brief period.

Another point during the season he seems to be hurt and missed some practices. But that was near the end and flies in the face of what you’re trying to argue here.

By and large he was pretty consistent in his underlying play.

It’s not speculative. His numbers were consistent.

Missing the net wasn’t the problem. Snipers miss the net all the time. He still racked up 300 plus shots.

The problem was that he went from scoring at around 20 percent to around five from mid ice. That’s an insane drop. It’s not explained by missing nets because those shots don’t factor into the equation.

I'm not worried about Caufield one bit. He's going to be fine as a undersized winger who can produce 30+ goals. How we surround him is key. Got to make the match-up game difficult for the other team's coach and Dach needs a break out. We need both Dach and Suzuki to be very effective centers to compliment our strong D. Then wingers like Caufield, Slaf, Demidov (and others) won't have much pressure to carry the team.

Good luck trying to shut down 3 strong lines vs the old way of thinking (2 lines). A strong D core with solid goaltending and 3 very good lines can win cups.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I'm not worried about Caufield one bit. He's going to be fine as a undersized winger who can produce 30+ goals. How we surround him is key. Got to make the match-up game difficult for the other team's coach and Dach needs a break out. We need both Dach and Suzuki to be very effective centers to compliment our strong D. Then wingers like Caufield, Slaf, Demidov (and others) won't have much pressure to carry the team.

Good luck trying to shut down 3 strong lines vs the old way of thinking (2 lines). A strong D core with solid goaltending and 3 very good lines can win cups.

He’ll be a good player, I’m not worried about that.

But going into last year I saw him as a blue chip perpetual 40+ goal scorer and potential superstar. He’d had enough behind him to indicate that it was a really good bet that we’d see multiple 50 goal years from him. And as much as I can still see that as a possibility, the injury has messed with his greatest asset: his shot.

So, there’s an element of risk that we can’t be certain of. How well will he recover? It’s supposed to be 100 percent after three years and I hope that’s the case. But going into this season I think all we can count on is around 30 goals.

 

[Habs Halifax]

He’ll be a good player, I’m not worried about that.

But going into last year I saw him as a blue chip perpetual 40+ goal scorer and potential superstar. He’d had enough behind him to indicate that it was a really good bet that we’d see multiple 50 goal years from him. And as much as I can still see that as a possibility, the injury has messed with his greatest asset: his shot.

So, there’s an element of risk that we can’t be certain of. How well will he recover? It’s supposed to be 100 percent after three years and I hope that’s the case. But going into this season I think all we can count on is around 30 goals.

I think his career goal averages will be around 35 ish when we look back. I'm sure he has a few 40+ seasons but most will be in the 30's.

Usage will change a bit too. Once we have 3 solid lines, the ice time will be spread out a bit more.

Fans need to think this way. We got a game breaking talent that might not be every game but he's going to score huge goals for us at key times.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think his career goal averages will be around 35 ish when we look back. I'm sure he has a few 40+ seasons but most will be in the 30's.

Usage will change a bit too. Once we have 3 solid lines, the ice time will be spread out a bit more.

Fans need to think this way. We got a game breaking talent that might not be every game but he's going to score huge goals for us at key times.

I sincerely hope you’re wrong. 35 goals isn’t bad but I hope it’s a lot higher than that. He’s a huge cig in the rebuild and if he only winds up being a 2nd liner it really sucks for us.

 

[Rapala]

From when to when? Beginning to end? It was pretty consistent. There was a point during that skid near the end where his shots dropped but that was a pretty brief period.

Another point during the season he seems to be hurt and missed some practices. But that was near the end and flies in the face of what you’re trying to argue here.

By and large he was pretty consistent in his underlying play.

It’s not speculative. His numbers were consistent.

Missing the net wasn’t the problem. Snipers miss the net all the time. He still racked up 300 plus shots.

The problem was that he went from scoring at around 20 percent to around five from mid ice. That’s an insane drop. It’s not explained by missing nets because those shots don’t factor into the equation.

No he wasn't constant in terms of engaging in physical contact and actively going out to hit 6'2" defenseman.
One of my favorite plays by Caufield was just that he stripped a Dman after using the body on him and set up Suzuki in the slot for the goal.
I think it was against Washington and it was definitely towards the end of the season which coincided with his uptick.
The main difference for me was he started to play and venture in far closer to the net in the higher traffic areas.

Why did he await so long to do it?
Because he sure as hell wasn't doing it all frickin' season long no matter what you say.
I have to surmise confidence in his ability to handle the physical side.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

No he wasn't constant in terms of engaging in physical contact and actively going out to hit 6'2" defenseman.

I really don’t know what you’re talking about here. 6’2 defenders vs 6’4 or 5’9… his play and numbers were consistent.

If you’ve got something that proves otherwise show it.

One of my favorite plays by Caufield was just that he stripped a Dman after using the body on him and set up Suzuki in the slot for the goal.
I think it was against Washington and it was definitely towards the end of the season which coincided with his uptick.
The main difference for me was he started to play and venture in far closer to the net in the higher traffic areas.

Why did he await so long to do it?
Because he sure as hell wasn't doing it all frickin' season long no matter what you say.
I have to surmise confidence in his ability to handle the physical side.

Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about. He stole pucks all year long.

 

[Rapala]

I really don’t know what you’re talking about here. 6’2 defenders vs 6’4 or 5’9… his play and numbers were consistent.

If you’ve got something that proves otherwise show it.


Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about. He stole pucks all year long.

Are you paying attention or NOT.
He DID NOT STEAL PUCKS ALL SEASON LONG using physicality and engaging with his body first.
He did it using his stick and his anticipation absorbing contact there is a difference you know.

You just like to argue for the sake of arguing no matter how wrong you are.
It gets tiring.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Are you paying attention or NOT.
He DID NOT STEAL PUCKS ALL SEASON LONG using physicality and engaging with his body first.
He did it using his stick and his anticipation absorbing contact there is a difference you know.

You just like to argue for the sake of arguing no matter how wrong you are.
It gets tiring.

15 takeaways in the first 41 games.
15 takeaways in the last 41 games.

I will be the first to say that takeaway numbers aren't a great stat and are counted differently from arena to arena. I'd never use it to try to argue a player was good/bad at something. But it's the only stat we have on this and we're looking at a single player over the course of the year. More importantly, his possession numbers are very close as well. It was a really consistent year for him apart from the goals which were very streaky.

The numbers don't support what you're saying.

If you have something to support you, please show it. I'd love to see it.

 

[morhilane]

No he wasn't constant in terms of engaging in physical contact and actively going out to hit 6'2" defenseman.
One of my favorite plays by Caufield was just that he stripped a Dman after using the body on him and set up Suzuki in the slot for the goal.
I think it was against Washington and it was definitely towards the end of the season which coincided with his uptick.
The main difference for me was he started to play and venture in far closer to the net in the higher traffic areas.

Why did he await so long to do it?
Because he sure as hell wasn't doing it all frickin' season long no matter what you say.
I have to surmise confidence in his ability to handle the physical side.

Indeed, post All-Star he started to go into the traffic near the net a lot more while he a perimeter player until then in the season. There was a few games where he reverted back to perimeter thought.

Not sure what was his problem fear of being hurt again, lack of confidence or the doc told him to try to avoid contact until a year after the surgery...

 

[Redux91]

I sincerely hope you’re wrong. 35 goals isn’t bad but I hope it’s a lot higher than that. He’s a huge cig in the rebuild and if he only winds up being a 2nd liner it really sucks for us.

Couldn't disagree more?
If the 1st line ends up Slaf-Suzuki-Demidov, not saying it will, but if it does

And then the 2nd line is Caufield + Dach + some lucky guy, and Caufields blasting 35 G's a year on our stalwart 2nd line next 6 years

How is any of that a bad thing, how does it 'suck for us' , and what's wrong with a great 2nd line..?
Top6 is what matters

Every sure-fire piece we add to this top6 only HELPS Caufield , and in turn helps alleviate some of the gigantic pressure we keep trying to stick on this guy
All of a sudden if he doesnt score 50 in his career he's a 'failure'?

Gotta be more big picture bud
You want CC scoring 50,
Or you want Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Demidov possibly flirting with 40 every year

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Couldn't disagree more?
If the 1st line ends up Slaf-Suzuki-Demidov, not saying it will, but if it does

And then the 2nd line is Caufield + Dach + some lucky guy, and Caufields blasting 35 G's a year on our stalwart 2nd line next 6 years

How is any of that a bad thing, how does it 'suck for us' , and what's wrong with a great 2nd line..?
Top6 is what matters

Every sure-fire piece we add to this top6 only HELPS Caufield , and in turn helps alleviate some of the gigantic pressure we keep trying to stick on this guy
All of a sudden if he doesnt score 50 in his career he's a 'failure'?

Gotta be more big picture bud
You want CC scoring 50,
Or you want Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Demidov possibly flirting with 40 every year

It's relative to expectations. I was saying that I wouldn't be happy with a 35 scorer going forward. Not with his skill set and potential. The guy had all the markings of a 40+ perpetual guy.

But it's out of our control. It doesn't matter what I want or what you want. We just have to hope he gets healthy. His biggest asset is his shot and it sucks that it's been compromised here. He did a great job of shooting from in close and in the slot but the pucks didn't go in, especially from mid ice. That's an indication that his shot is nowhere close to where it was.

So I guess it depends on how you look at it. I don't think a 2nd line winger who's a 30 goal scorer is bad. But it's relative to expectations. At 300 plus shots from where he was shooting from, you expect a lot better results. Having an elite sniper is a huge advantage in this league. I just hope he can get his shot back. If he doesn't, it sucks for us.

 

[Rapala]

15 takeaways in the first 41 games.
15 takeaways in the last 41 games.

I will be the first to say that takeaway numbers aren't a great stat and are counted differently from arena to arena. I'd never use it to try to argue a player was good/bad at something. But it's the only stat we have on this and we're looking at a single player over the course of the year.

The numbers don't support what you're saying.

If you have something to support you, please show it. I'd love to see it.

LMFAO
Go back and read my initial post.
At no point do I say Caufield wasn't turning pucks over.
The entire post was dedicated to how Caufield's game changed in terms of how he dealt with and engaged with physicality.
And only late in the season did I sense he was more comfortable with his shoulder and actually looking to engage with the body first.
But that couldn't be right because players come back 100% sure in their minds they can take the punishment particularly the puny ones.

You don't agree fine but don't bring in lame stats that have nothing to do with what I'm saying.
Like I said you twist and turn and bifurcate when you don't agree with something. Nothing new there.
I should know better by now.

We are done.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

LMFAO
Go back and read my initial post.
At no point do I say Caufield wasn't turning pucks over.
The entire post was dedicated to how Caufield's game changed in terms of how he dealt with and engaged with physicality.
And only late in the season did I sense he was more comfortable with his shoulder and actually looking to engage with the body first.
But that couldn't be right players because players come back 100% sure in their minds they can take the punishment particularly the puny ones.

You don't agree fine but don't bring in lame stats that have nothing to do with what I'm saying.
Like I said you twist and turn and bifurcate when you don't agree with something nothing new there.
I should know better by now.

We are done.

"Lame stats"...

You come out with a nonsensical rant about how he was different from the beginning to the end. I tell you that I disagree and show you that he was consistent across the board. I ask you to back up what you're saying and you can't.

Come up with something that makes sense. Until then go away.