Karine Hains: Looking Ahead: Cole Caufield While it's a bummer that Caufield will not be at the Canadiens' rookie camp, at least we get to follow him from a distance as he starts his University career.

A good pick that far down in the first round. He will be a regular top 6 NHL winger I think. Could develop into a DeBrincat kinda sniper, good for 30 or 40 goals if played in the right situations. Size is a factor, like it is for all the smaller guys. It just means he has to excel at speed, elusiveness and burying the biscuit.

I like the pick. Not sure when he might be ready for, or when he wants to make the NHL jump. But, Habs can sure use him sooner, rather than later. Do you think he might be ready and willing to join the BIG boys by next season????

He's riding tails for other players now

A good pick that far down in the first round. He will be a regular top 6 NHL winger I think. Could develop into a DeBrincat kinda sniper, good for 30 or 40 goals if played in the right situations. Size is a factor, like it is for all the smaller guys. It just means he has to excel at speed, elusiveness and burying the biscuit.

I like the pick. Not sure when he might be ready for, or when he wants to make the NHL jump. But, Habs can sure use him sooner, rather than later. Do you think he might be ready and willing to join the BIG boys by next season????
- hawk35

Think he would've wanted to join the big boys this year, the team likely felt like he'd benefit from at least a season in the NCAA. Don't see why he wouldn't be at least in Laval next year.

Think he would've wanted to join the big boys this year, the team likely felt like he'd benefit from at least a season in the NCAA. Don't see why he wouldn't be at least in Laval next year.
- BashCH

If they don't see him rocking the CH next year I'd imagine they just leave him at Wisconsin but who knows

Most goals in 1 NCAA season is 59, it will be interesting to see if Caufield gets close to that mark... Mike Donnelly set the record in 1986 when he was already 22

Suzuki and Poehling are ahead of him to make this team.

Will be interesting what they decide to do to start the season.

Suzuki and Poehling are ahead of him to make this team.

Will be interesting what they decide to do to start the season.
- deadpoulet

Caufield won't even be at camp, so they're way ahead of him!

I think both Poehling and Suzuki start in Montreal

If they don't see him rocking the CH next year I'd imagine they just leave him at Wisconsin but who knows
- Takemedrunkimhome

What I don't like with that approach is that he can't be evaluated in a pro environment. The only tests we can use to say if he's ready are NCAA and the development camp, both against late teens/early 20s.

Don't get me wrong, they are going to do as you say.

Caufield won't even be at camp, so they're way ahead of him!

I think both Poehling and Suzuki start in Montreal
- obie

Bit of a logjam at centre ice right now. One spot on the wing in the top 6/top 9. Trades can happen as well, I guess.

What I don't like with that approach is that he can't be evaluated in a pro environment. The only tests we can use to say if he's ready are NCAA and the development camp, both against late teens/early 20s.

Don't get me wrong, they are going to do as you say.
- jugkope

If I had any say, which I obviously don't, Caufield would never see the A, even for a game, it's NHL or bust. The A is a grinding league with career head hunters who want nothing more than a 1st round pelt on their wall. With Caufield’s size he'd be a constant target for plugs with no hope of ever having a cup of coffee at the top level. As such, I only want to see him in the NHL...but my opinion isn't worth the time it took to write this

If I had any say, which I obviously don't, Caufield would never see the A, even for a game, it's NHL or bust. The A is a grinding league with career head hunters who want nothing more than a 1st round pelt on their wall. With Caufield’s size he'd be a constant target for plugs with no hope of ever having a cup of coffee at the top level. As such, I only want to see him in the NHL...but my opinion isn't worth the time it took to write this
- Takemedrunkimhome

I think you might mistake the AHL with the LNAH.

I think you might mistake the AHL with the LNAH.
- jugkope

There is a lot of B level prospects and veterans with no hope to reach the NHL in there. He's not wrong.

I think you might mistake the AHL with the LNAH.
- jugkope

I'm dumb and lazy...is that french for the A?

There is a lot of B level prospects and veterans with no hope to reach the NHL in there. He's not wrong.
- deadpoulet

Best compliment I've ever received on the internet. I'm screen shotting, printing and framing this

Bit of a logjam at centre ice right now. One spot on the wing in the top 6/top 9. Trades can happen as well, I guess.
- deadpoulet

Yea they can move guys around the lineup for sure... I just don't see guys like Weise, Cousins, Peca, Thompson and Hudon doing enough to keep those 2 out of the lineup, have to believe both will come in pretty hungry for a spot... As of now, I only see 9 F who are guaranteed spots, barring a trade obviously

I'm dumb and lazy...is that french for the A?
- Takemedrunkimhome

No it's the Quebec goon league. Donald Brashear played there, amongst others.

No it's the Quebec goon league. Donald Brashear played there, amongst others.
- jugkope

So it's produced more NHL players than the Mestis? (I kid, I jest)

There is a lot of B level prospects and veterans with no hope to reach the NHL in there. He's not wrong.
- deadpoulet

While true about the prospects and vets, they are also trying to make a living and suspensions tend to cut your paycheck. It might have been true years ago, but nowadays it's not at least it's not. In 8 Laval Rockets game I've been to, I don't think I've seen a fight and maybe 1 boarding + 1 coincidental roughing 2 minutes.

So it's produced more NHL players than the Mestis? (I kid, I jest)
- Takemedrunkimhome

Other way around. Old NHLers go play there.

Yea they can move guys around the lineup for sure... I just don't see guys like Weise, Cousins, Peca, Thompson and Hudon doing enough to keep those 2 out of the lineup, have to believe both will come in pretty hungry for a spot... As of now, I only see 9 F who are guaranteed spots, barring a trade obviously
- obie

Tatar, Danault, Gallagher
Drouin, Domi, ?
Lehkonen, KK, Armia
Byron, Thompson? Weal?

Do we mind our top prospects on the 4th? There is that spot on the 2nd to be taken I would say.

I also won't mind if Lehkonen or Armia end up on the 4th.

Tatar, Danault, Gallagher
Drouin, Domi, ?
Lehkonen, KK, Armia
Byron, Thompson? Weal?

Do we mind our top prospects on the 4th? There is that spot on the 2nd to be taken I would say.

I also won't mind if Lehkonen or Armia end up on the 4th.
- deadpoulet

Drouin Domi Suzuki
Tatar Kotkaniemi Gallagher
Poehling Danault Byron
Lehkonen Weal Armia

KK moves up, Domi moves over to wing. Thompson and Poehling battle for 3rd and 4th centre spots......

KK moves up, Domi moves over to wing. Thompson and Poehling battle for 3rd and 4th centre spots......
- Frozendisc

Not a fan of moving Domi over

Drouin Domi Suzuki
Tatar Kotkaniemi Gallagher
Poehling Danault Byron
Lehkonen Weal Armia
- obie

I like it, but I think they will start with Danault, Lehkonen and Armia higher in the line up.

Poehling and Suzuki need a good camp to make the team. KK is on it, but need a good camp to play in the top 6 from the start.