Team USA no longer has a choice: Cole Caufield must be part of the 4 Nations Confrontation

Cole Caufield is off to a very good start to the season with six goals in six games, placing him second in the NHL scoring charts behind Nikita Kucherov and tied with Artemi Panarin. Not bad!

Needless to say, Caufield seems to have recovered well from the shoulder injury that plagued him last season and slowed his average goal production. In particular, the young forward saw his average of shots on goal drop to just 8.9% last year, well below his NHL average of 14.1% and NCAA average of 16.1%.

But Goal Caufield is back! And at the rate he’s been racking up goals so far this season, the diminutive forward is a logical choice for Team USA at the 4 Nations Confrontation in 2025.

With the way Cole Caufield has been playing to start the season, he’s likely on track to making the Team USA roster for the Four Nations tournament next year in February. pic.twitter.com/jiAfrBhNky

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) October 20, 2024

The 4 Nations Confrontation 2025 is an international tournament organized by the NHL and will pit Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States against each other. The competition will consist of a total of seven games played from February 12 to 20, when all 32 League teams will cease operations.

Caufield’s interesting start to the season makes him not only a logical choice, but an absolute must for the American team. In fact, if he keeps this up, he could even become one of Team USA’s key cogs in the wheel.

For example, could we see Caufield on a pivoting line with Auston Matthews at center? Imagine the Habs’ forward working magic with Toronto’s nemesis. Personally, I’m anticipating a lot of bittersweet feelings about such a possibility.

In any case, it’s still early to speculate on potential trios, as the teams still have time to send in their final line-up lists, which will be unveiled between November 29 and December 2. All four teams have already submitted their first six players in June.

Nevertheless, if Caufield makes the cut, it will be an opportunity for him to gain experience playing with an elite national team with many veteran players. It’s the kind of background many players have used in the past to cement their place among the League’s elite.

Finally, there’s the possibility of a sibling duel between Caufield and Nick Suzuki, who could be called up to play for Team Canada. While Suzuki’s place in the tournament is far from assured and more speculative, given his more modest start to the season, I think it would be interesting for fans to see the Canadiens’ two forwards face off on the ice.

Overtime

– Jets still unbeaten.

Won it for Littshttps://t.co/ZQ5ldRoRDd | #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/H6L9COXmFp

– Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 20, 2024

– Duel of section rivals.

FINAL: @Bengals win in Cleveland! #CINvsCLE pic.twitter.com/Vi5WA4ENcu

– NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024

– Big weekend for the Rocket.

Danick recaps a 2-0 weekend for the Rocket and the return of Ylo to Montreal pic.twitter.com/JmraKHEskR

– HFTV (@HFTVSports) October 20, 2024