Cole Caufield is about to show Montreal Canadiens fans just what they have to look forward to.
It is Christmas Day and that means it is also the Opening Day of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships in Edmonton, and the stage is set for Montreal Canadiens prospect Cole Caufield to dominate.
There is no doubt that the perfect Christmas gift for Canadiens fans would be to see Caufield light it up in Edmonton at the World Junior Championships, and it seems a pretty likely outcome at this point.
After all, the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft is as naturally gifted as they come, and he’s also one of the best young pure scorers out there.
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Lighting the lamp is simply what Caufield does best and he will be relied upon by Team USA to provide the offense they need to enjoy a successful tournament, and it all starts tonight against Russia (9:30 p.m. ET).
After enduring a quiet World Junior Championships last year with one goal and one assist in five games, the pressure will be on Caufield to deliver in Edmonton this year but he looks ready to come up big for his country.
In a game against Finland earlier this week, the right winger came alive in the second period and converted on a Trevor Zegras pass on his first shift of the period to give Team USA a 2-1 lead, one-timing an inch-perfect pass into the net.
The best was yet to come, however, and it arrived just 35 seconds later as Caufield took the puck from behind the net before firing a sublime backhander over the goalie’s blocker and into the top corner.
It was a perfect demonstration of the skill level that Caufield possesses, and he just boasts that killer instinct when it comes to putting pucks in the net.
He seems a lot more mature this year and the high-end sniper could easily emerge as the best player at this year’s tournament, or at least finish with the most goals in Edmonton.
This @colecaufield backhander 😳. His second goal of the period makes it 3-1 as we near the midway point of the second.#USAWJC | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/AsNN7CfIN4
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 23, 2020
And Caufield lighting it up on the biggest stage would certainly be the ideal Christmas Gift for Montreal Canadiens fans, who will be desperate to see one of their brightest and most cherished prospects take that next giant leap in his development.
It is feasible to think that Caufield could be NHL ready in time for the 2021-22 season, and a strong showing at the 2021 World Junior Championships would go some way to proving that the elite goal-scoring machine is ready to take that next step.
Plus, with the start of the 2020-21 NHL season still a couple of weeks away, what better way for Montreal Canadiens fans to start shifting back into hockey mode than by watching their potential future face of the franchise absolutely light it up at the World Juniors?
Cole Caufield can dominate any game, dominate any opponent and he can change the momentum in a single instant with a single slice of brilliance, so he will be a hell of a lot of fun to watch in Edmonton, starting later tonight against Russia.
And if the 19-year-old can really find another level and absolutely take the 2021 World Junior Championships by storm, then that will be a perfect Christmas gift for the Montreal Canadiens who have high hopes for Cole Caufield.