60 goals for Cole Caufield: we found the most daring suggestion of the off-season

We’ve seen a lot of daring positions taken during the off-season. But I think we may have just found the most daring of the lot when it comes to the Canadiens.

And it involves Cole Caufield.

According to Habs Eyes On The Prize, which covers the Habs’ activities, it’s not far-fetched to “forget the 50 goals” in his case and think he can tackle the 60-net mark.

And much like Michel Laprise, I took the plunge.

After all, we’re talking about a huge leap for a player who scored 26 goals last year and has 53 career NHL goals – if we consider the regular season alone.

I know his 53 goals in 123 games take into account a calendar turn under Dominique Ducharme, and I know he was injured last year in January, but still: it’s a bold suggestion.

I know Caufield will be healthy. I know he’ll be better surrounded. I also know that the NHL is an increasingly offensive league and that more goals are being scored.

But 60 for someone who wasn’t even on a 50-goal pace last year, that’s a bold suggestion.

Mind you, I’m not saying it’s impossible. But what I am saying is that I don’t think Caufield, who hasn’t played since January, is ready, as early as October 2023, to be one of the top scorers in the league… for a club that’s going to miss the playoffs.

It’s too bold to suggest.

After all, 60 goals only happened twice last year: David Pastrnak (61) and Connor McDavid (64). And clearly, Caufield isn’t McJesus, let’s face it.

In recent years, since the 2012-2013 lockout , only three scorers have managed 60 goals. Auston Matthews (2021-2022) is the other player in question.

So it’s not impossible that it could happen one day in Caufield’s case. That said, it’s already risky to predict a 50-goal season for him this season, given the circumstances surrounding the CH.

We’ll see in a few years.

In bursts

– In the short term? Yes.

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