Cole Caufield (USDP)
Position: C/RW (Right-handed)
Birthday: Jan 02, 2001
Age on Draft Day: 18
Height/Weight: 5’7”/163
Rankings
16 – Future Considerations
8 (NA Skaters) – NHL Central Scouting
13 – Elite Prospects
18 – Bob McKenzie
5 – Corey Pronman
About
It’s not every day you come by players quite like Cole Caufield. He’s a jumpy, tenacious forward with an electrifying talent — and that talent is goal-scoring. When you look at scoring rates, Caufield sits alongside names like Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and yes, even Jack Hughes. Between the USHL, USDP, and the WJC, Caufield played one game shy of 100 this season. He amassed 115 goals, making him one of the best pure scorers of his class. The funny thing is, he flew under the radar most of the year. He really shocked the hockey world at the WJC where he scored 14 goals in 7 games. Don’t ask me why it took that long — actually, I’ll tell you why.
It’s his size.
He’s a pint-sized player, which usually gives fans (and front offices) cold feet. I understand it, it’s a physical game, but just look at players like Alex Debrincat — Smallish forward, a prolific scorer in the junior leagues, and now, a key piece to the Chicago Blackhawks’ offense. Another concern for Caufield is that, yes, he may be a bit of a one-dimensional player at this point. It’s no mystery that the Red Wings love their guys who can play a 200-foot game, but it feels like the organization is armed to the teeth with these types of players.
Caufield’s sizzling ability to shoot the puck has been lauded across the hockey world. Here’s what Corey Pronman had to say about the 5-foot-7 winger:
He’s one of the best goal-scorers to become eligible for the draft in recent years. Caufield’s shot is special. There’s plenty of snipers out there, but Caufield’s wrist shot technique is like a slingshot. He gets control of the puck and fires it a million miles an hour on target. He’s not going to pick a corner every shot, but his finishing rate is very good and he scored some of the most amazing goals I saw all season at any level.
If you haven’t watched already, I highly suggest you take a look at Caufield’s highlights from WJC.
Perhaps you’re not sold on Cole Caufield because of his size, or maybe it’s because he played a lot with Jack Hughes, thus inflating his numbers — just remember one thing: Alex Debrincat played with Connor McDavid, and if Caufield ends up in Detroit, he’ll eventually play with guys like Dylan Larkin, Joe Veleno, or maybe another superstar player that we haven’t seen yet.
All I’m saying is, unless a name like Bowen Byram or Alex Turcotte falls to no. 6, it would be silly to not consider trying to draft Caufield. Don’t sleep on him, because I doubt he makes it out of the top-10.
Cole Caufield at No. 6?
| Yes | 319 |
| No | 318 |
