Cole Caufield: Is this the year?

[Mrb1p]

This has been analyzed over the past three pages man. The chances are coming from in close more than ever.

It doesnt matter if the shot come from outside or inside. Consistency matters. When hes inside, he overhandles, he passes up a shot for a pass, he tries to do too much, when hes outside, he tries to pick corners, he doesnt oje time it (not as much). When hes close to the net, he gives up the inside a lot, which is why he never scores in tight. There was a play where he was on a 2 on 1, I dont remember the player, but Wolf gave a very juicy rebound and Cole was right there, but instead of going in the right area, he pathed to the outside and took himself out of the play entirely, without the D even looking his way.

He does a lot of things bad right now, theres no sugar coating it.

Do you know who the top 5 forwards in the league are for turnovers? (/60min)

Kucherov
Pasternak
Barzal
Hughes
Forsberg

Top 5 for missed shots
Matthews, Pasternak, Kucherov, Forsberg, Trochek

Again, I think your assessment lens is a bit questionable. Either your expectations are unrealistic, or the understanding of what it takes to become an elite NHL scorer is lacking.

Either way, the take is pretty weak

Shall I list points and goals for these guys? Read my N.B., its not a good argument youre making. These guys have a lot of Caufields negatives, but they produce twice, if not thrice as much as him.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It doesnt matter if the shot come from outside or inside.

Sure it does.

If his shots were down or if they were all coming from outside then maybe there’d be something to change. But his underlying play is better everywhere.

You can sit there and try to microanalyze things if you want but no matter how you slice it he should have more goals. I’ve never seen a guy with that many chances score so little. Even by blind luck some pucks should go in.

 

[Miller Time]

Shall I list points and goals for these guys? Read my N.B., its not a good argument youre making. These guys have a lot of Caufields negatives, but they produce twice, if not thrice as much as him.

Shall I list their age...

Context. Matters. Assessments made without context are missing the essments

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It doesnt matter if the shot come from outside or inside. Consistency matters. When hes inside, he overhandles, he passes up a shot for a pass, he tries to do too much, when hes outside, he tries to pick corners, he doesnt oje time it (not as much). When hes close to the net, he gives up the inside a lot, which is why he never scores in tight. There was a play where he was on a 2 on 1, I dont remember the player, but Wolf gave a very juicy rebound and Cole was right there, but instead of going in the right area, he pathed to the outside and took himself out of the play entirely, without the D even looking his way.

He does a lot of things bad right now, theres no sugar coating it.

Shall I list points and goals for these guys? Read my N.B., its not a good argument youre making. These guys have a lot of Caufields negatives, but they produce twice, if not thrice as much as him.

But they shouldn’t be. That’s the point. Caufield should have 40 to 50 goals.

If the underlying numbers weren’t there… different story. But his play is better than it’s ever been. With last season’s shooting percentage we’d be looking at a 51 goal season.

Btw, the “negatives” you’re talking about happen when you always have the puck. You’re going to lose it just by virtue of that. None of this is new.

 

[Mrb1p]

Shall I list their age...

Context. Matters. Assessments made without context are missing the essments

Theres no context. The context is he isnt anywhere as good as any of those guys you listed. If he was, like he was before this year, i wouldnt say a thing. Id actually be cheering him on.

Reality is hes not.

But they shouldn’t be. That’s the point. Caufield should have 40 to 50 goals.

If the underlying numbers weren’t there… different story. But his play is better than it’s ever been. With last season’s shooting percentage we’d be looking at a 51 goal season.

Btw, the “negatives” you’re talking about happen when you always have the puck. You’re going to lose it just by virtue of that. None of this is new.

No, his play is not better. He shoots more but his shots are not of good quality. Its easy to see when you watch the games. You cant just look at the stats sheet, see 7 shots and decide "hes better than last year". Hes not. He hasnt been as dangerous as last year and its a problem.

 

[Miller Time]

Theres no context. The context is he isnt anywhere as good as any of those guys you listed. If he was, like he was before this year, i wouldnt say a thing. Id actually be cheering him on.

Reality is hes not.

My bad... I must have missed the part where CC was a Hart candidate last year.

Your take indeed reflects no understanding of the role context plays in forming an opinion, at least that we can agree on

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

No, his play is not better. He shoots more but his shots are not of good quality. Its easy to see when you watch the games. You cant just look at the stats sheet, see 7 shots and decide "hes better than last year". Hes not. He hasnt been as dangerous as last year and its a problem.

We’re all watching the games. And again, the numbers don’t back up what you’re saying.

It’s not just the volume of shots, it’s where they’re coming from. He’s in close. The puck just isn’t going in.

 

[Mrb1p]

We’re all watching the games. And again, the numbers don’t back up what you’re saying.

It’s not just the volume of shots, it’s where they’re coming from. He’s in close. The puck just isn’t going in.

Theres a reason why its not going in. Shooting % can be relied upon for a certain quantity but over time it normalizes, why isnt Coles normalizing? Because his shooting quality is way down.

My bad... I must have missed the part where CC was a Hart candidate last year.

Your take indeed reflects no understanding of the role context plays in forming an opinion, at least that we can agree on

I dont understand how one can wake up and just have bad faith overall. Go touch grass, man. Its just hockey and Cole isnt your son, hes not playing up to his talent.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Theres a reason why it’s not going in. Shooting % can be relied upon for a certain quantity but over time it normalizes, why isnt Coles normalizing? Because his shooting quality is way down.

That’s the thing. It did seem to normalize. He got hot and then cooled off again. Then missed some practices and played like crap for a couple of games. Then his play improved… Hadn’t scored since until last night.

Nobody knows why he can’t score. But I’m watching just as you are. The chances are there, they just aren’t going in.

And again, even if he was shooting from far out, you’d still expect some level of dumb luck. 7.5 is the lowest I’ve seen from a player with the chances he generates.
The easiest answer would be his shoulder but again, he should still have more goals.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I personally don't care if Caufield ends up as a 25-30 goal scorer if he ends up getting 70-75 points. Someone will be scoring goals if he's getting those assist. His overall game has vastly improved and let's not overlook that shoulder is still not fully healed.

 

[bcv]

I dont understand how one can wake up and just have bad faith overall. Go touch grass, man. Its just hockey and Cole isnt your son, hes not playing up to his talent.

Kinda funny reading this coming from you.

Your deep hatred towards Matheson is only matched by your extreme love of Michkov. It’s just hockey, touch (or smoke?) grass and chill out!

Also, underlying numbers and what I see from my own eyes paints a completly different picture than what you’re saying you see.

 

[Essenege]

Cole overperformed his expected goals in the last 2 seasons by quite a margin (26 goals for 16 goals last year). With his shooting quality this is expected to some degree but I think it leaves it vulnerable to a scoring slump when confidence isn’t 100%.

This year he should have 26 goals so he’s behind…if he buried his chances at last year’s rate he would have 42 goals.

He’s 22nd in expected goals. Right behind him are Nylander and Kuch who are at 36 and 40 goals. I think if Cole plays exactly like this season for the next 10 he has 40 per season. Just unlucky and lacking confidence this year.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Finally got set up for his one-timer and scored.

 

[Miller Time]

I dont understand how one can wake up and just have bad faith overall. Go touch grass, man. Its just hockey and Cole isnt your son, hes not playing up to his talent.

Bad take is a bad take dude... Simple as that.

Not sure whether it's bad faith or just a lack of understanding, but either way no point crying because your bad take is being called out.

Not one thing you've said in the last few replies has any evidence to back it up. If you just don't like the kid, that's your beef.

I don't understand why you are so offended by being called out for making crap up to justify an empty take. Don't like it, don't post or hit ignore

 

[Mrb1p]

Bad take is a bad take dude... Simple as that.

Not sure whether it's bad faith or just a lack of understanding, but either way no point crying because your bad take is being called out.

Not one thing you've said in the last few replies has any evidence to back it up. If you just don't like the kid, that's your beef.

I don't understand why you are so offended by being called out for making crap up to justify an empty take. Don't like it, don't post or hit ignore

Caufield isnt playing up to his talent and it isnt entirely up to shooting luck that he isnt producing as expected. Its not a bad take, its reality.

 

[Miller Time]

Caufield isnt playing up to his talent and it isnt entirely up to shooting luck that he isnt producing as expected. Its not a bad take, its reality.

Reality is that your expectations are unrealistic and that because you, admittedly, ignore context.

Definition of a bad take. Simple as that.

 

[Mrb1p]

Reality is that your expectations are unrealistic and that because you, admittedly, ignore context.

Definition of a bad take. Simple as that.

8 millies, talent to score 50, healthy, etc.

What context? Hes young? At the same age Kuch had 40 and PPG. 2nd in goals and 5th in points in the NHL. At the same age Pastrnak won the richard. At the same age FF9 was PPG.

Now I dont believe CC can be an art ross contender, but Im pretty sure he can be a Richard contender, at least with his talent.

 

[Miller Time]

8 millies, talent to score 50, healthy, etc.

What context? Hes young? At the same age Kuch had 40 and PPG. 2nd in goals and 5th in points in the NHL. At the same age Pastrnak won the richard. At the same age FF9 was PPG.

Now I dont believe CC can be an art ross contender, but Im pretty sure he can be a Richard contender, at least with his talent.

This is CCs D5 year.

Kuch in D5 scored 30 for the first time & his 66pts is right around where CC will finish this year.... Bolts were a 97 point team that year with a significantly deeper and more talented roster than these Habs.


Pasternak was in D6, on a loaded Bruins roster that was the best team in the league the year he won the rocket.

Throw Cole on the Oilers, Bolts, Panthers etc and you don't think he'd have more points this year?

Context. Matters. Even though you don't seem to grasp this simple reality.

I thought CC could hit 50 this year... IF everything went right. That he's already achieved career best production, despite a hockey career worst shooting % and a league basement team offense, is a positive reflection, not something to cry about.

If anything, he's moved himself one step closer to perhaps becoming a legit art Ross contender in his prime, based on the adaptability & versatility he's shown to keep positively contributing when his shot is off.

Your criticisms remain completely disconnected from reality...

 

[Team_Spirit]

Almost unbelievable

 

[Mrb1p]

This is CCs D5 year.

Kuch in D5 scored 30 for the first time & his 66pts is right around where CC will finish this year.... Bolts were a 97 point team that year with a significantly deeper and more talented roster than these Habs.


Pasternak was in D6, on a loaded Bruins roster that was the best team in the league the year he won the rocket.

Throw Cole on the Oilers, Bolts, Panthers etc and you don't think he'd have more points this year?

Context. Matters. Even though you don't seem to grasp this simple reality.

I thought CC could hit 50 this year... IF everything went right. That he's already achieved career best production, despite a hockey career worst shooting % and a league basement team offense, is a positive reflection, not something to cry about.

If anything, he's moved himself one step closer to perhaps becoming a legit art Ross contender in his prime, based on the adaptability & versatility he's shown to keep positively contributing when his shot is off.

Your criticisms remain completely disconnected from reality...

So be it if you want to compare an early Bday to a full year, Kuch finished 22 points away from Benn that year. 26th overall in scoring. Cole is 73rd in scoring and is on pace to be outscored by our very own Kucherov by... 78 points.

Theres no way you equate both seasons here.

No I dont believe Cole would have more points, maybe more A2 but he surely wouldnt score more goals with the way hes shooting. I do believe Nick and Slaf would have drastically different totals if they had the pre-injury/Pre-MSL/pre-sophomore slump/pre-contract/pre-wtvs-wrong-with-him Caufield, though.

Its fine to admit not everythint is perfect. Noah Dobson is PPG this year, Evan Bouchard, Verhage, Boeser, etc. Players are producing like crazy. Why the F are we so content with a 5'6 defensively weak goalscoring forward that just broke the 20g mark at the 64th game? We have players pacing for almost a goal a game, man. This isnt 2015 anymore, demand more.

I understand you and a few others like to be overly positive and you like to think its all good, but its easy to admit hes not playing up-to-par.

Just say it, Cole Caufield is having a disappointing season.

 

[Miller Time]

So be it if you want to compare an early Bday to a full year, Kuch finished 22 points away from Benn that year. 26th overall in scoring. Cole is 73rd in scoring and is on pace to be outscored by our very own Kucherov by... 78 points.

Theres no way you equate both seasons here.

No I dont believe Cole would have more points, maybe more A2 but he surely wouldnt score more goals with the way hes shooting. I do believe Nick and Slaf would have drastically different totals if they had the pre-injury/Pre-MSL/pre-sophomore slump/pre-contract/pre-wtvs-wrong-with-him Caufield, though.

Its fine to admit not everythint is perfect. Noah Dobson is PPG this year, Evan Bouchard, Verhage, Boeser, etc. Players are producing like crazy. Why the F are we so content with a 5'6 defensively weak goalscoring forward that just broke the 20g mark at the 64th game? We have players pacing for almost a goal a game, man. This isnt 2015 anymore, demand more.

I understand you and a few others like to be overly positive and you like to think its all good, but its easy to admit hes not playing up-to-par.

Just say it, Cole Caufield is having a disappointing season.

Lol
Thank you! In all my time on this site I don't think I've ever been accused of being "overly positive".

But sorry, your take still sucks and is completely missing any reasonable consideration of context.

Did you see Mac's assist on Leo's goal last night? Tell us again how Cole wouldn't have any more points playing in a top of the league roster... That's ludicrous. Heck, Gally would have a big point bump riding shot gun on the Oilers or Avs.


Caufield is the leading scorer (points) of any player in the league born in 2001.

If that disappoints you, I will reiterate that it reflects more on your poor assessments than it does on his poor shooting percentage.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I personally don't care if Caufield ends up as a 25-30 goal scorer if he ends up getting 70-75 points. Someone will be scoring goals if he's getting those assist. His overall game has vastly improved and let's not overlook that shoulder is still not fully healed.

I care and so should you.

His value lies in the goals. Goalscorers are infinitely more valuable than playmakers on the whole. Goals scored for and against are what determine wins and losses. Goalscoring talent is hard to find and Caufield has the potential to be among the best in the league.

Yes, it’s great that he’s contributing in other ways and he’s been a productive player but we want this guy scoring 40+.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I care and so should you.

His value lies in the goals. Goalscorers are infinitely more valuable than playmakers on the whole. Goals scored for and against are what determine wins and losses. Goalscoring talent is hard to find and Caufield has the potential to be among the best in the league.

Yes, it’s great that he’s contributing in other ways and he’s been a productive player but we want this guy scoring 40+.

If Suzuki and Slaf score 5 more goals each as a result of his more complete game? An empty calorie scorer à la Hoffman is not helpful in winning.

 

[Miller Time]

I care and so should you.

His value lies in the goals. Goalscorers are infinitely more valuable than playmakers on the whole. Goals scored for and against are what determine wins and losses. Goalscoring talent is hard to find and Caufield has the potential to be among the best in the league.

Yes, it’s great that he’s contributing in other ways and he’s been a productive player but we want this guy scoring 40+.

Meh

Kucherov is more valuable than Matthews.

I get the Habs ptsd of not having a 40g+ scorer in decades, but ultimately CCs "value" is in how well he helps this team succeed in the playoffs.

He was damn good for us in his rookie year playoff stint despite only scoring 4g in 20g (16 goal season pace). Can't wait to see what he looks like when we get into the playoffs again, and frankly don't care wether his production skews heavier to goals or assists, just win baby!

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Caufield isnt playing up to his talent and it isnt entirely up to shooting luck that he isnt producing as expected. It’s not a bad take, it’s reality.

He’s definitely not producing as expected. It’s a disappointing season for sure.

But he is playing up to his talent. He is playing well. All the underlying numbers support this. Unfortunately, the results aren’t there.

But there’s every reason to believe it will be there in the future.