It is officially the offseason for more than half the league. Management will get their draft boards ready as they select the next wave of talent. However, some teams are focusing on their current rosters. Will players get moved? What about contract extension? The latest rumour around the league is a Cole Caufield contract extension.
The Upcoming Contract For Caufield
Rumour: Darren Dreger talks about a possible contract extension for Cole Caufield
Dreger on TSN690 talking Caufield/Habs extension: “I look at Tim Stutzle’s deal in Ottawa and that’s probably the deal that Brisson and company are looking at for Caufield. Is that too much for the Montreal Canadiens?”
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) May 11, 2023
There is so much to love and appreciate about the Montreal Canadiens. I’m sure that sounds silly as they were a basement dweller and have the fifth overall pick. However, they have a fountain of youth that has shaped the foundation of this team. Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have done a great job of building this team back to it’s glory days. One of those impactful youth players is Cole Caufield. Per Dareen Dreger, a comparable contract is Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators. Is that a fair price?
The Price Is Right
A Cole Caufield contract could look similar to another young stud in the league. Tim Stutzle signed an eight-year contract that has a cap hit of $8.35 million per season with the Ottawa Senators. So how does this compare? Prior to signing the deal before the ELC expired, Stutzle posted point totals of 29 and 58 respectively. However, this season he popped off like a champagne bottle. Stutzle had a career year and finished with 39 goals, 51 assists, and 90 points. Enough about him, how does this bode for Caufield?
At the rate of talking contract extension, they have both played the same number of seasons. However, he has been brilliant since Martin St Louis is on board. Last year he was a second-half machine with 43 points in 67 games. But this season has been derailed by injuries. It was unfortunate because he was near a point-per-game pace and set a career-high in goals (26). In addition, he would’ve been on pace for 46 goals and 64 points. Caufield has a career-high 84 points in his young career so far.
For further comparison, look at New Jersey Devils centre Jack Hughes. Hughes had 108 career points before signing his eight-year eight million per season deal. In addition, he popped off this year, setting a Devils franchise record for points in the regular season. Caufield has the potential and given a full-year sample size will live up to his contract. Teams are signing players early and it has paid off enormously for most of them.
Main Photo: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
