Montreal Canadiens fans thirst for a scorer and have high hopes for Cole Caufield. At the end of November, they had the opportunity to see him at work while two games of the University of Wisconsin Badgers were broadcast in Quebec.
They were pretty disappointed with what the maverick was able to do in a series against Arizona State. Zero points in two games. A cumulative record of -5. And, beyond the numbers, frankly uninspiring game.
The Montreal market has done its work. In our big metropolis, let’s say that nuanced and measured reactions are often overshadowed by big shock statements. Maybe we had overestimated Caufield all this time? On the radio, an analyst warned that we might be disappointed if the young striker represents the future of the team.
Tony Granato knows tobacco. He played 774 National Hockey League games with the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. From the outside, he witnessed the Montreal frenzy. The Badgers head coach invites fans to take a look at the big picture.
“I know how things work in Montreal,” he said in an interview with TVASports.ca. But it’s only two games and it wasn’t his best. If people [au Québec] had seen the following two games against Ohio State, their reactions would probably have been the opposite: “Wow, this guy is ready to play, what a streak he just had, he dominated!” “
Several times during the interview, Granato insists on emphasizing how well Caufield took matters into his own hands after his two poor performances. The hockey man says Caufield took a leadership role in the locker room to ensure, along with the captain and the team’s veterans, that the squad was ready to bounce back.
On the ice, the skilful scorer led by example. He had four points in two games against Ohio State, but his overall game was also significantly better according to his coach.
“It was remarkable.” Remarkable! ”Granato hammers at the end of the line.
WHAT A PASS COLE!
???? Jack Gorniak PP
???? Cole Caufield ???? Brock Caufield
3-1 Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/KBYKpRIXJc— Here’s Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) December 5, 2020
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The former 30-goal scorer describes Caufield as a special player, the kind of maverick who doesn’t run the streets.
“Cole is quite a hockey player, he’s a fabulous prospect. He does things that other players cannot do. He’ll score goals that other players can never score, no matter how many hours they spend training. He has strengths that others do not have. ”
BAR DOWN!
???? Cole Caufield
1-0 Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/4aAltCyxFV— Here’s Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) December 4, 2020
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Learning
The streak chilled many fans in Montreal during the broadcasts of Caufield’s games. The number 8 who nonchalantly folds as Arizona State takes the opportunity to bring the score to 6-2 in the third period.
A player can have a bad game. To abandon? No, and Granato made him suffer the consequences by making him miss a few appearances.
“Sometimes when your players don’t live up to expectations, they need to sit down and watch the game for a little while,” he says.
1st collegiate goal
???? Benji Eckerle
6-2 ASU pic.twitter.com/3VcPfSCB2C— Here’s Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) November 29, 2020
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Defensive play is one aspect Granato puts a lot of emphasis on with Caufield. The Badgers pilot tries to make his colt the most complete player possible. In the National Hockey League, Caufield will only receive playing time if he gets his coach’s confidence.
“Obviously he’s not perfect, you saw him in the series against Arizona State,” Granato admits. But then you see his response against Ohio and you’re like, okay, there’s some progress, some great development here. ”
Not the Caufield you knew
This year Caufield has made some dramatic changes to his style of play. It’s pretty striking, actually. He has more control over the puck.
It must be said that the young man has not always had the opportunity to do so in the previous two seasons. When he played with Jack Hughes or Alex Turcotte, his mentality was different: he applied himself to finding the gaps in the offensive zone and escaping the cover of the opposing defenders.
“He really focused on his ability to control the puck coming out of the defensive zone,” notes Granato. It carries the disc more often. I don’t know if this is ideal for his game, but he has gained confidence in it. And he wants that to become one of his strengths. That’s the biggest difference from last year, I think. ”
By working hard in the gym, Caufield has also taken physical maturity to another level, which bodes well for his eventual arrival with the Canadiens.
