(Brossard) The general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes, said earlier this week that one of his priorities right now was to conclude an agreement with forward Cole Caufield. The main interested party is in no hurry to sign his next contract.
Caufield, 22, is currently in the final year of his rookie contract. He could therefore become a restricted free agent this summer.
Hughes said during his mid-season review on Wednesday that he wanted Caufield to stay long-term with the Habs and that he believed the American maverick also wanted to stay in Montreal for a long time.
Asked about his contractual situation on Friday, Caufield admitted to being happy in Montreal and at the Canadiens.
I love playing here. I love the team and the group of guys. But let’s take it one step at a time.
Cole Caufield
Although negotiations between the two camps are ongoing, Caufield stressed that he let his agent Pat Brisson do his job, without getting too involved.
“I try to stay away from that,” he said.
Caufield added that he doesn’t see his situation as a distraction. Anyway, his performances on the ice leave no room for doubt at this level.
He continues to accumulate goals at a breakneck pace.
Prior to Thursday’s matches, Caufield found himself at 11e rank of NHL goal scorers, tied at 26 goals with Mark Scheifele, Timo Meier and Kirill Kaprizov.
He could become the first Canadian player to score at least 40 goals in a season since Vincent Damphousse’s 40 in 1993-94.
Caufield should therefore receive a significant salary increase compared to his rookie contract, which will have earned him nearly four million US dollars over a period of three years.
The captain of the Canadiens and accomplice of Caufield on the ice and off the ice Nick Suzuki opted for a long-term contract of eight seasons and 63 million immediately after his rookie contract.
Over the years, other young star players have preferred to sign a less lucrative but shorter-term contract, hoping to get a big prize later in their careers.
Caufield declined to reveal his preference.
“Honestly, I don’t see it that way,” he replied when asked if the length of the contract or the amount was more important to him. I want what will fit best for me. And I let the guys working behind the scenes do the work.
“I don’t know when it will be settled, but there is no rush,” he added.
In the meantime, Caufield can continue to increase his value by filling in opposition nets.