Cole Caufield Could Become Canadiens’ Highest-Paid Skater

The Montreal Canadiens are looking to start negotiations with Cole Caufield on an extension, one that, if things continue, could make him the highest-paid player on the active roster.

There’s no going around it; Caufield has been one of the most electric players in the NHL this season,

With no. 22 keeping pace with the likes of Jack Hughes, Mikko Rantanen, Steven Stamkos and Jack Eichel offensively, he’s doing his best to make the process of getting him signed to a team-friendly contract that much harder.

In a league where goals are at a premium, Caufield represents one of the best goal-scoring talents in the NHL. His ten even-strength goals rank him third in the NHL this season amongst elite company, and he’s only scratched the surface of what he can do.

If he has proven himself this productive at mostly even strength, imagine what his stat line could become with a functioning power play?

That would be an exciting proposition for Canadiens fans, but it would likely put Caufield over the edge and force the Canadiens to significantly increase the annual average value of Caufield’s next deal.

And with the way the market is headed, it might actually eclipse the contract of Nick Suzuki to become the richest deal on the active roster.

Heated Market

The Dallas Stars just recently signed Roope Hintz to an eight-year worth $8.45M per year, joining the likes of Jordan Kyrou ($8.125M), Robert Thomas ($8.125M), Tim Stutzle ($8.35M) and Josh Norris ($7.95M) as the recent set of restricted free-agents that have signed max-term contracts as of late.

It’s quickly becoming a trend across the league to try and lock up young stars across the league as soon as possible to eight-year deals, and Caufield could be one of the next big signings coming down the pipeline.

The Montreal Canadiens have already committed an 8-year contract to Nick Suzuki last September worth $7.85M per annum.

At the time, some argued that the contract was handed out too quickly; a result of a panic move by former GM Marc Bergevin after losing Phil Danault to free agency and Jesperi Kotkaniemi to offer.

It has quickly become a bargain, with Suzuki leading the team in scoring yet again, this time well above the point-per-game mark.

Executive Vice President Jeff Gorton has confirmed that talks with Cole Caufield are set to begin soon, but they may want to hurry up if they want to get a favourable deal out of the 21-year-old.

Given his scoring pace and the deals being signed across the league, Caufield may end up getting close to $8M per season on an eight-year deal if he continues the way he’s going; and he’ll have earned every penny.

https://montreal.nationalhockeynow.com/2022/11/15/canadiens-jeff-gorton-gives-update-on-cole-caufield-extension/