June 5, 2023
The Montreal Canadiens picked early Monday morning to announce they had come to terms on a new contract with their sniper, signing Cole Caufield to an eight-year contract extension worth $62.8M and an annual average value (AAV) of $7.85M. This new deal is a message… or maybe a few messages.
You can take HuGo at their word.
Every time Kent Hughes or Jeff Gorton has discussed Caufield’s contract they have been clear. Fans don’t need to worry. Caufield will get done. This morning Caufield got done. Fans didn’t need to worry about a July offer sheet, or dream up nonsensical trades because the new deal would break the bank. Caufield got done in plenty of time and at a fair price, and this should be a lesson to fans to pay attention when this duo speaks. You can take them at their word.
The Habs know what they have in Cole Caufield.
Pure goal scorers do not grow on trees. Last season Caufield scored 26 goals and added 10 assists in 46 games before his season ended in shoulder surgery. At just 22, Caufield has 53 goals and 21 assists in 123 games, and that includes the abysmal Ducharme days. Some will be silly enough to say the Habs overpaid and that Caufield should have been bridged to prove himself. Hughes knows Caufield is on an upward trajectory, and a bridge contract today would be a giant bill tomorrow.
The Habs also know what they have in Nick Suzuki.
This one is a $25K message. Nick Suzuki is still our top dog. We want Cole Caufield to stick around for a long time, and we’re willing to pay for that privilege. But Suzuki is still top dog.
Pierre-Luc Dubois should pay attention.
Is there a message in this contract for PLD? He has been long rumoured to be interested in playing for the Montreal Canadiens. Whether through free agency or trade, if PLD is eventually a member of the Habs, I wonder if he will also have to submit to the top dog. I’m not suggesting that Kent Hughes will never pay a player more than Suzuki – that would be ludicrous. The cap will rise, and elite players will be added. But I’m not sure either will impact the PLD contract if it comes to fruition.
With two recent restricted free agents landing new contracts, off-season business is picking up for the Habs. Fun times ahead!
Hab At Her 
Great insight! After the Bergevin era, Gorton and Hughes are a breath of fresh air. The best thing about Suzuki/Canfield core is we know what they’re capable of in a Stanley Cup Final series. Can’t say that about most other up and coming cores (sorry leaf fans)…
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We already know both are playoff performers.
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