The Montreal Canadiens have agreed to terms on an eight-year, $62.8 million contract, demonstrating their commitment to the young scorer Cole Caufield.

With 26 goals this season, the 22-year-old is tied for the team lead. This is the second consecutive year that Caufield has led the Canadiens in scoring. He only played in 46 games the previous season due to a shoulder surgery layoff.

Caufield went to the University of Wisconsin and led the country in goals and scoring after a very successful time with the US national team development program. Though some teams were concerned about his 5-foot-7 frame, Montreal was able to select Caufield with the 15th pick in the 2019 draft, even though he was the winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the best college player.

Caufield was favored to win the Calder Trophy the following season following a 10-game stint with the Canadiens in 2020–21, during which he scored four goals, but he had trouble early on. After being dropped to the AHL, he made a comeback to appear in 67 games and score 23 goals.

Despite his initial shoulder dislocation in December, he was playing at a much higher level this past season. In January, he was placed on inactive status and had surgery. In April, he returned to skating with the team for practice.