Cole Caufield: Is this the year?

[Scriptor]

Man, this kid is special. I love watching Caufield, then I remember how thin our offence is. With Dach and Suzuki, we have the foundation of an offensive core, but the drop-off is pretty steep beyond them. Monahan is terrific, but a complete wildcard given his age and history.

Currently our roster has nowhere close to the scoring talent and depth of the top teams. Caufield can certainly be the best sniper on a contender, but he shouldn't be the only sniper.

Once the back end gets better offensively (cue Hudson's arrival, and maybe Mailloux, plus Guhle staking a larger role with Reinbacher also maturing at the NHL level, Caufield'soffensive production will explode.

Just imagine the PP with Hutson skating all over the O-zone as a firefly and the fits the opposing Ds will have? Opposing Ds will have trouble keeping up with Hutson and defensive coverage of Caufield will take the back seat. Plenty of PP goals from Caufield to match his current even strength production (only 14 of 58 career goals, so far, on the PP -- 24%, which is actually great that Caufield produces smooch at even strength!).

But, I agree, we need another scorer. We can hope that the crafty (but not speedy) Joshua Roy grows into a sniper role, but I think we will still package something in the 2025 offseason to acquire another such contributor.

 

[Scriptor]

I’m pretty sure MSL did teach him this lol. It works so well since the dman is already covering his side more aggressively for the one timer. So they are doomed if they cover it and doomed if they don’t.

Caufield using the D that covers him to veil the opposing G's vision of the shot will become a lethal component of his game. Caufield has the skill to do this like Ovechkin does. Everybody knows from where Ovechkin will shoot, but he still scores from there that way.

 

[Mrb1p]

Needs to start giving us some actual rubber, if were honest.

 

[Scriptor]

Needs to start giving us some actual rubber, if were honest.

?????

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Needs to start giving us some actual rubber, if were honest.

Scores 2 goals in his next game and he would be back on 40g pace.

 

[Mrb1p]

Scores 2 goals in his next game and he would be back on 40g pace.

Yes, but 1 5v5 goal in 13 games is not acceptable for such a good player, if were honest. Last year he paced for 30 at 5v5.

 

[Scriptor]

Yes, but 1 5v5 goal in 13 games is not acceptable for such a good player, if were honest. Last year he paced for 30 at 5v5.

Not concerned it will come because Caufield has found a way to create chances for himself as opponents have concentrated on blocking one-timer passes to him.

Those passes need to come from cycles behind the net as well as from Suzuki cross ice if they are to prevent opponents from keying in on them.

 

[Mrb1p]

Not concerned it will come because Caufield has found a way to create chances for himself as opponents have concentrated on blocking one-timer passes to him.

Those passes need to come from cycles behind the net as well as from Suzuki cross ice if they are to prevent opponents from keying in on them.

Im talking about ES, where most of his goals were off the rush. Fourteen of his fifteen 5v5 goals came off the rush or from turnovers.

The one timer thing is a PP issue, which is fine, hes bound to be tightly checked.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Not concerned it will come because Caufield has found a way to create chances for himself as opponents have concentrated on blocking one-timer passes to him.

Those passes need to come from cycles behind the net as well as from Suzuki cross ice if they are to prevent opponents from keying in on them.

Caufield scored most of his ES goals from wristers, not one-timers. Of all his goals since MSL came in (53 iirc), 30 of them are from wristers, including 7 on the power play. NHL doesn't mark-up one-timers, but you'd expect them to be either snap or slap shots, but not all of his snaps or slaps. He had 11 snap shot goals and 6 slap shot goals. Even if 2/3 of those are one-timers, that accounts for a dozen of his 53 goals since MSL came in.

Here's a rundown:

ES Wristers : 23
PP Wristers : 7

ES Snap : 7
PP Snap : 4

ES Slap : 4
PP Slap : 2

ES Backhand : 3
PP Backhand : 1

Others (tap, bat, wrap) : 2

 

[ReHabs]

I’m pretty sure MSL did teach him this lol. It works so well since the dman is already covering his side more aggressively for the one timer. So they are doomed if they cover it and doomed if they don’t.

You can teach moves and tricks but having the wherewithal to use them in competitive games is another thing. MSL and Caufield is a match made in heaven even if they’re not perfectly identical playing styles.

 

[ORRFForever]

Needs to start giving us some actual rubber, if were honest.

How many of his points this season are 5 on 5 ?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Yes, but 1 5v5 goal in 13 games is not acceptable for such a good player, if were honest. Last year he paced for 30 at 5v5.

It's so early though... a 2 goal game makes a massive difference at this stage in the season. As far as goalscoring goes, I'd be more concerned if he wasn't getting chances but he is. The goals will come.

And he's on a four game point streak and is still a PPG.

 

[Mrb1p]

How many of his points this season are 5 on 5 ?

Four.

 

[Skip Bayless]

He's gonna have to try to shoot through a screen. He's always trying to dispsy doodle himself into a clean lane.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He's gonna have to try to shoot through a screen. He's always trying to dispsy doodle himself into a clean lane.

His shooting percentage is way out of whack compared to previous seasons. Under 10 percent. Sooner or later that will turn around and we won't be worrying about clean lanes or screens or whatever. He's had shots that should've gone in but didn't... nature of the beast. Every player will level out. What matters is that he's generating chances and still putting up points.

Have to say, his passing game is really good too. Last year when he went through that stupid streak of like 1 assist in 15 games, he was passing well then too. Just goes to show you the cycle of things.

It'd be great to have more goals though. I was hoping he might challenge for 50. Anything under forty this year and I'll be dissapointed. I've got to think that shooting percentage is going to flip soon.

 

[the valiant effort]

Having him next to Dvorak is asinine

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Having him next to Dvorak is asinine

Totally agree.

 

[ORRFForever]

Four.

Thanks!

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

9 shots in his last four games is not enough. Still creating chances and has missed the net a few times but he needs more shots. His offside tonight negated his assist and unfortunately snapped a four game point streak.

On a positive note, Slaf has set him up several times in the past few games. The chances are there he just needs to bury them. A shooting percentage of around 9 is not going to last.

 

[Tyson]

9 shots in his last four games is not enough. Still creating chances and has missed the net a few times but he needs more shots. His offside tonight negated his assist and unfortunately snapped a four game point streak.

On a positive note, Slaf has set him up several times in the past few games. The chances are there he just needs to bury them. A shooting percentage of around 9 is not going to last.

It seems that Slaf has the IQ to play with our best players.

 

[SlafySZN]

It seems that Slaf has the IQ to play with our best players.

Who would’ve thought!

 

[Kennedys]

He's not leading the Habs for expected goals right now. That's not good

 

[OldCraig71]

Im talking about ES, where most of his goals were off the rush. Fourteen of his fifteen 5v5 goals came off the rush or from turnovers.

The one timer thing is a PP issue, which is fine, hes bound to be tightly checked.

I said the same thing a few days ago and was told that was not the case. CC's style of play resembles Phil Kessell when he was the most productive, great shot, perimeter player who scores off the rush, just my opinion.

 

[morhilane]

He's not leading the Habs for expected goals right now. That's not good

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That's because he doesn't crash the net like Gallagher/Monahan.

CC is having issues with traffic and time/space right now. Teams are covering him a lot more and he's trying to battle it through which leads to blocked/misses/deflected shots. When I looked 2 weeks ago and he had the worst success rate for attempted shots vs "on net" shots.

 

[bobholly39]

Alex Galchenyuk (lol?) owns the record for most over-time goals in a single season in NHL history at 5. Tied with a few others.

Cole Caufield already has 3 OT goals this season.

Does he break the record with 6+ OT goals this season? Would be a pretty cool feat.