written by: Jonah sacks (@Silkypucktalk)

March 20, 2026

Cole Caufield started his NHL journey with a fire lit under him. He fell several spots in the NHL Draft in 2019 and then landed in the Canadiens’ lap at 15th overall. That chip on his shoulder was evident from the start. But the doubters were always louder than the believers.

An undersized forward, labeled as having no defensive ability, no playmaking ability, and no elite skating, just an elite NHL shot from the age of 18; he was seen as a classic boom-or-bust player.

Then came his NHL debut.

Right away, he started scoring goals and big ones. His first NHL goal was an overtime winner, and he followed that up with an incredible playoff debut in 2021, helping lead the Canadiens all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.

But it wasn’t all smooth after that.

There was a time where Cole Caufield looked lost at the NHL level and was even sent down to the AHL. The start of the 2021–22 season was a nightmare. Whether it was a lack of offseason progression, the comfort of having just gone to the Final, or a coach who didn’t use him properly, there were a lot of factors. But Caufield would be the first to tell you he was playing the worst hockey of his career.

And then came Martin St. Louis…

A former NHLer and Hall of Famer who, just like Caufield, was undersized and doubted his entire life. The two built a connection—one that completely changed the trajectory of Caufield’s career. St. Louis taught him things few coaches could, and from that point on, Caufield took off.

In 2023–24, Caufield scored 28 goals in 82 games. He was widely expected to hit 40, especially after scoring 26 goals in just 46 games the season prior before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, but he didn’t even reach 30. That’s when the jokes started. Fans from other teams labeled him “the best 40-goal scorer to never score 30.”

So what did he do?

What he always does: he got to work.

Caufield put in the effort, improved his game, and silenced the critics by scoring a career-high 37 goals in 82 games during the 2024–25 season, helping the Canadiens return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

And now, 68 games into the 2025–26 season, Cole Caufield already has 40 goals.

But it’s not just about the goals anymore. He’s developed into a well-rounded player. He’s no longer a defensive liability, and he’s added a real playmaking element to his game. He’s become a dual threat.

It’s truly remarkable how much he’s evolved in such a short time. The sky is the limit for Cole Caufield.

The question isn’t, “Can he ever score 50?”

The question is, “How many 50-goal seasons will he have?”

And if you don’t think he’s capable…

Just let him hear you say that.

It’ll only improve his chances.