When the term “playoffs” becomes taboo for the management of a sports organization, it’s actually a sign that we should forget about participating in the spring dance. Some will say it’s bad marketing. But we must not think people are stupid. At first glance it is clear that a place in the playoffs is illusory for the Canadian this season.
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However, not everything is dark. We can expect the Habs to give us some good times next winter. The main focus will be on the Suzuki-Caufield duo. Everyone can’t wait to see Cole Caufield back in action. His right shoulder is like new.
The young man shuffles impatiently. He can’t wait to get back to doing what he does best in life. He always wants to score goals.
How many goals will he score if he plays the whole season? The bets are off!
At least 30, you might think. 40?
This would be a first for a Canadian player since Vincent Damphousse in 1993-1994. So next spring it will be 30 years.
Rent!
Why not ?
Do you dare say 50? It’s not that crazy.
Caufield scored 48 times in 83 games under Martin St-Louis. We can see a cause-and-effect relationship, but the credit mostly goes to Caufield himself and the person who puts the puck on his stick’s stick.
Suzuki’s direct participation rate in these 48 goals is 38%.
Suzuki is to Caufield what Elmer Lach and Henri Richard were to Maurice Richard. What Jean Béliveau was to Bernard Geoffrion. What Peter Mahovlich and Jacques Lemaire were to Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt. What Bobby Smith and Shayne Corson were to Stéphane Richer, the last player to score 50 goals for CH (50 in 1987-1988 and 51 in 1989-1990).
Pierre Larouche had two 50-goal seasons as a center player. For the first time with the Pittsburgh Penguins – and for the second time with the Canadian, playing alongside Lafleur, who had his last of six consecutive 50-win campaigns this season (1979-1980).
The face of the team
The rocket and the flower are symbols.
There is no question of comparing Caufield to these two legends.
That would be sacrilege!
But the 22-year-old American is very popular with Montrealers. His youthful appearance makes him a favorite of young people who enjoy wearing his number 22 sweater.
That’s a change from the four decades in which the team’s flagship goalkeeper was.
People love Caufield. They like his reactions after his goals.
Caufield is all fire, all flame!
His energy is contagious.
In the spirit of the big little ones
Plus, fans always have a soft spot for smaller players.
Growing up, my father liked Aurèle Joliat, about whom he spoke to me, more than the great Howie Morenz. Joliat was quick on his skates and was able to hold the puck for two minutes while shorthanded, he told me. – Uh?
In my younger years, Yvan Cournoyer lifted me from my chair in front of the television with his electrifying speed from the blue line to the net. He became a road runner.
In the 1980s, people took a liking to Mats Naslund, that foreigner who had stolen the job from Réjean Houle alongside Pierre Mondou and Mario Tremblay.
Martin St-Louis loved him so much that he made the number 26 on the back of his jersey.
When he met him on the ice at a special event, the little Viking gave him his Torspo brand stick.
Naslund, the last one
Naslund is the last Canadiens player to record a 100-point season. The team won the Stanley Cup that season (1985-1986).
Caufield is part of this line of lovable players.
The fans want him to score one, two or three goals in every game. Your darling feels that Teflon is under pressure. Caufield is having fun like the image of the child he projects.
However, there is one danger lurking: his production is linked to his salary, which rises to $7.85 million this year. He will have to produce accordingly.