Canadiens Cole Caufield’s True Rank In A 2019 Re-Draft

Montreal Canadiens Cole Caufield has been labelled a steal for a while now, but how high could he go in a re-draft of the 2019 class?

The former 15th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft has gotten off to an electric start to his career, especially his last 60 games.

After a slow start to his rookie season, Caufield was able to manage 23 goals and 43 points in 67 games last season. The talented goal-scorer has followed up his strong end-of-season push with 12 goals and 21 points through the first 21 games this season, while being one of Montreal’s most dynamic players.

He’s become one of the most exciting young players in the league, and has quickly earned the label of “steal” for putting up such elite numbers, despite being selected in the middle of the 1st round.

In an attempted 2019 Re-Draft from The Athletic‘s Corey Pronman, he ranks Cole Caufield 7th, behind Jack Hughes, Trevor Zegras, Moritz Seider, Bowen Byram, Matt Boldy and … Dylan Cozens?

Pronman also had Kirby Dach, the former 3rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and current Montreal Canadiens forward, slip to the 10th overall rank, which, given his rocky start in Chicago, is more than fair.

But Caufield at 7th? That’s not right.

Look at The Facts

In terms of pure offensive talent, Caufield ranks among the top of his draft class.

His 69 points in 98 NHL games rank him fourth amongst his draft class, trailing only Jack Hughes (134), Trevor Zegras (94) and teammate Kirby Dach (76).

He ranks second in terms of goalscoring with 39 goals through 98 games, bested only by good friend Jack Hughes, who potted 56 goals in 189 games.

The only proven better forwards in this class are Jack Hughes and Trevor Zegras.

Moritz Seider is already playing like a top-pair defenceman, and Bowen Byram has already won a Stanley Cup playing an essential role for the Colorado Avalanche.

After those four, you can have the conversation about Matt Boldy and Cole Caufield, who have quickly become indispensable players to their team’s success.

At this junction, you’d have to give the edge to Caufield, given that No. 22 is outproducing Boldy so far this season and has been directly involved in much more of his team’s success throughout his career.

With goal-scoring at a premium in the NHL, Caufield’s torrid scoring pace should rank him no later than 5th overall in any redraft, and, if he were to take his game up another notch, could challenge Bowen Byram for a Top-4 spot.

Needless to say, Cole Caufield isn’t done proving people wrong.

https://montreal.nationalhockeynow.com/2022/11/14/interesting-stat-shows-suzuki-caufield-fueling-montreal-canadiens/