Stu Cowan: Why is it taking so lengthy for Canadiens to signal Cole Caufield?

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It has been 5 weeks because the Canadiens cleared out their lockers at their Brossard follow rink and headed into the low season.

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Cole Caufield was requested that day if he had a brand new contract but.

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“Nope,” mentioned the 22-year-old, who scored 26 targets to tie for the staff lead with Nick Suzuki regardless of lacking 36 video games. Suzuki performed in all 82 video games.

When requested if he was near signing a brand new contract, Caufield mentioned: “I’ve type of been staying out of it. So unsure.”

When Canadiens proprietor Geoff Molson spoke with reporters throughout a information convention at Université de Montréal greater than two weeks in the past, he was requested about Caufield’s contract negotiations.

Molson mentioned that was a great query for Jeff Gorton, the chief vice-president of hockey operations, and GM Kent Hughes, including: “It may occur any time. I received’t let you know to remain near your cellphone right this moment, however you by no means know when it’s going to occur.”

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It nonetheless hasn’t occurred.

Molson mentioned he understands that Canadiens followers are longing for Caufield’s contract state of affairs to be resolved, including the negotiations are in good arms with Gorton and Hughes and {that a} deal could be signed earlier than the beginning of subsequent season.

Suzuki was the highest-paid ahead on the Canadiens this season with a salary-cap hit of US$7.875 million within the first yr of his eight-year, US$63-million contract. It might be shocking if the Canadiens provide Caufield greater than Suzuki if you take a look at what among the gamers drafted the identical yr as Caufield have signed for after finishing their NHL entry-level contracts.

Jack Hughes, the No. 1 general decide by the New Jersey Devils on the 2019 draft, simply accomplished the primary season of his eight-year, US$64-million contract with an $8 million salary-cap hit. In 244 regular-season video games, Hughes has 87-120-207 totals.

Caufield, chosen fifteenth general on the 2019 draft, has solely performed 123 video games, posting 53-31-84 totals and had season-ending shoulder surgical procedure in February. The Canadiens burned the primary yr of Caufield’s entry-level contract in the course of the 2020-21 season when he performed 10 regular-season video games and 20 playoff video games after leaving the College of Wisconsin.

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The contracts not too long ago signed by Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres and Matthew Boldy of the Minnesota Wild ought to present fairly good templates for what Caufield’s new contract might appear to be.

Cozens, drafted seventh general in 2019, has 48-71-119 totals in 201 video games with the Sabres. He signed a seven-year, US$49.7-million contract that kicks in subsequent season with a $7.1 million salary-cap hit.

Boldy, drafted twelfth general in 2019, has 46-56-102 totals in 128 video games with the Wild. He signed a seven-year, US$49-million contract that kicks in subsequent season with a $7 million salary-cap hit.

It’s attention-grabbing to notice that Kirby Dach, the No. 3 general decide by the Chicago Blackhawks on the 2019 draft, signed a four-year, US$13.45-million contract that has an annual salary-cap hit of solely $3.362 million after being traded to the Canadiens finally yr’s draft. In 210 NHL video games, Dach has 33-64-97 totals.

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Hughes’s 87 targets are probably the most by any participant chosen on the 2019 draft, adopted by Caufield (53) and the Anaheim Geese’ Trevor Zegras (49). Zegras has 49-90-139 totals in 180 video games and like Caufield wants a brand new contract for subsequent season. Zegras and Caufield even have the identical agent, Pat Brisson.

Canadiens GM Hughes has mentioned he desires to maintain Caufield with the staff long-term, but additionally desires to maintain some cap flexibility. Hughes, a former participant agent, received’t focus on contract negotiations till they’re accomplished.

An extended-term deal for round $7 million appears to make sense for Caufield, who was on tempo to attain 46 targets earlier than injuring his shoulder. That damage, together with the actual fact Caufield is simply 5-foot-7 and 166 kilos, may very well be a priority for the Canadiens on a long-term deal.

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Caufield is probably the most thrilling participant the Canadiens have had and the most important fan favorite — apart from goalie Carey Value — since P.Ok. Subban. Subban’s three-year, entry-level contract expired after the 2011-12 season and he missed the beginning of the following season whereas in a contract dispute with former GM Marc Bergevin. On the time, there have been stories Subban was on the lookout for a long-term deal for the kind of cash Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty was incomes (US$7 million a season). Subban ultimately determined to guess on himself, signing a two-year bridge contract price a complete of US$5.75 million. Subban then went out and received the Norris Trophy because the NHL’s greatest defenceman for the 2012-13 season and his subsequent contract was an eight-year, US$72-million cope with a salary-cap hit of $9 million.

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Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Caufield and Brisson resolve to take a web page from Subban’s playbook. Caufield’s worth would positively enhance if he might keep wholesome and change into the Canadiens’ first 50-goal scorer since Stéphane Richer in 1989-90.

“I don’t assume there’s any rush on both facet,” Caufield mentioned 5 weeks in the past about his contract. “So it should get executed when it will get executed. It’s one thing that I’m not too frightened about.”

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