Cole Caufield is a very complete NHL player. He’s extremely lucky to have a head coach in Martin St. Louis, that believes in his skillset, work ethic, and abilities. This year he is looking very comfortable with his linemates and poised for a huge 2024-25. Cole Caufield hopes it pays off for personal and team stats.
Cole Caufield’s Stats Influenced by his Linemates
In 2023-24, there were so many unknowns with the Canadiens, in particular their top line. Juraj Slafkovsky had the potential, but it wasn’t even a certainty he would play on the first line with Caufield. For him to go from 10 points in 39 games in his rookie season to a full 82 games and 50 points was also very unpredictable. Furthermore, even if the talent was there for Nick Suzuki, his level of production wasn’t exactly expected either. To increase his career-high in points by 11 to 77 was undoubtedly impressive. Therefore, for Caufield, it was difficult to predict his own output last year, given the variability in his linemates’ expectations.
The Top Line is Set
In contrast, as we get going in 2024-25, that feeling of unfamiliarity is gone. Caufield knows he’s playing with Slafkovsky and Suzuki and knows what to expect from them. After all they did play a lot together last year, over 750 minutes in fact. Interestingly enough, they were the only trio that played more than 178 minutes together. So, they were almost stuck with one another.
But given the unknowns last year, Caufield was forced to focus on what he could control. What he could control was increasing his own personal development. So, what he focused on was his two-way play, thanks to the continued guidance and mentorship of coach St. Louis. It seems that he has rounded out the two-way requirements of being a sniper. Now he can focus on what he’s supposed to be the best at, filling the net early and often.
There’s Still Going to be some Adversity
This season has already presented some challenges for the Canadiens and their top line. For instance, the club went 0 for 30 on the power play during the preseason. As the regular season has gotten going, the line’s success has been somewhat dependent on having last change. Moreover, last night versus Montreal the line was reunited versus Ottawa after struggling and being split up in Boston.
A Deep Dive into Factors Behind Cole Caufield’s Stats
With all that in mind, just how can Caufield just shutout all the outside influences and concentrate on his own game? One item for Caufield to work on to increase his offensive output is his efficiency. This should come as he and his linemates are more familiar with one another. Last year he took 314 shots, and only scored on 28 of them. If you work that out, that’s good for an 8.9 shooting percentage. The year prior, he scored only two less goals, but had a 16.5 S%.
Thus far, three games in, Caufield is off and running. He already has four goals, and (only) on ten shots on goal. In addition, last year part of his dip in shooting percentage was his lack of effectiveness on the power play. Only nine of his 28 goals came on the man advantage. When you’re known as the trigger man on the power play, that number probably isn’t acceptable. However, this year he already has one power play marker, and clutch goals too, with two game-winners.
It's loud in the @BellCentre! 🔊 #NHLFaceOff https://t.co/lHKLoF2O9r pic.twitter.com/FiNCm96lzT
— NHL (@NHL) October 13, 2024
Caufield Seems to Have Figured it Out
It just seems that Caufield is attacking more purposefully this year. If he’s taking the play to the outside, it’s because that’s where it’s open. There he’s able to scan the ice and make quick, confident plays. This was evident in his first goal last night versus Ottawa. He took a quick snapshot, and it went top-shelf, short-side. Of note, that goal marked the fact Caufield was the first Canadiens player since Tomas Plekanec to score in the club’s first three games of the season.
Cole Caufield looks to become the first Canadiens player to score in each of the first 3 team games since Tomas Plekanec in 2014-15.#GoHabsGo
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 12, 2024
If Caufield can maintain this level for 2024-25, it will elevate the entire team. With a first line having snipers that score at a 100-point clip, opposed to an 80-point clip, will pay dividends in the final standings. In any sense, he has the support of his coach, and combined with a bit of chemistry, Montreal’s top line and Caufield in particular, are all poised for a career-year.
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac – USA TODAY Sports
