Canadiens and Cole Caufield don't look like shut on long-term deal

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It is going to get achieved finally, you’d must imagine. In any case, we’re speaking about Cole Caufield.

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However on Friday, as a number of chosen Canadiens gamers met the media one last time on the Bell Sports activities Advanced earlier than dispersing for his or her summer season holidays, Caufield made it clear he has but to signal a brand new contract. And, if one needed to learn the tea leaves, it didn’t sound like something’s imminent.

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“Nope,” Caufield mentioned definitively. “I’ve type of been staying out of it, so I’m unsure.”

There was loads of hypothesis currently that Caufield, who earned US$925,000 this season and is eligible to change into a restricted free agent, is about to signal a brand new deal. Friday, with scores of media in attendance following the tip of the common season and a second consecutive non-playoff look, would have been the right time for an announcement.

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It might be ludicrous to recommend the 22-year-old ahead, chosen fifteenth total by Montreal in 2019, received’t be one of many key parts within the crew’s rebuilding course of. In any case, Caufield scored 26 targets and 36 factors in 46 video games earlier than struggling a season-ending shoulder damage that required surgical procedure in January.

He tied for the crew lead in targets with captain Nick Suzuki, his linemate, who required all 82 video games to achieve that whole. And therein lies administration’s dilemma.

Suzuki, 23, simply accomplished the primary 12 months of an eight-year, US$63 million contract he signed with former normal supervisor Marc Bergevin. That’s an annual cap hit of US$7.875 million — the very best on the crew, excluding goaltender Carey Worth, on long-term damage reserve and unlikely to play once more.

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Caufield would possibly imagine he’s value a wage corresponding to Suzuki’s, however do the Canadiens need to pay that a lot for a 5-foot-7, 174-pounder with solely 123 video games of NHL expertise, albeit one who has been productive; Caufield scoring 53 targets and 84 factors.

“I don’t suppose there’s any rush on both aspect,” Caufield mentioned of the negotiations. “It’ll get achieved when it will get achieved. It’s one thing I’m not too apprehensive about. My focus is on rehab and making an attempt to get higher. I’m making an attempt to place (the contract) behind my thoughts, however for certain I give it some thought now and again.”

Caufield confused he’s not involved, nor ought to he be, given his bargaining energy. “The deal’s going to get achieved when it does.”

Caufield has resumed skating and expects to be prepared for the beginning of coaching camp in September. Like the remainder of his teammates, he believes the rash of accidents sustained this season was nothing greater than misfortune. And Caufield believes the Canadiens are near turning into contenders.

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“Our battle,” he mentioned. “We’re a resilient group. We’re aggressive. We’ve performed some actually good groups exhausting and we’re solely going to get higher with expertise. That’s going to go a good distance down the highway. You understand what it will be like with a full lineup … the place we’d be.”

Caufield believes he solely has began to scratch the floor by way of his potential. He mentioned he has improved each season, however shortly added he has but to show something, contemplating he by no means has performed a full season.

Suzuki was the one Canadien to take action, for a second straight season, however this time with the ‘C’ on his sweater after his considerably surprising appointment as captain.

“I realized quite a bit this 12 months however I can nonetheless be higher in that position,” he admitted. “It’s a studying course of for me, being extra comfy talking up within the room. Because the 12 months went on I felt higher. I don’t need to be a man that talks 24/7. I need to decide my spots the place I must get my level throughout. If you happen to’re speaking an excessive amount of, guys can begin zoning you out a bit. You need to decide your moments and say the suitable issues.”

In different information, Brendan Gallagher revealed he fractured his proper ankle twice this season, whereas Sean Monahan mentioned he regretted enjoying on a damaged foot, admitting it most likely led to his season-ending groin damage that required surgical procedure.

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