Cole Caufield’s postgame comment after the Heritage Classic quickly became more than just a throwaway line.
After the Canadiens beat the Jets, Caufield said Montreal was Canada’s favorite team, and the remark immediately drew attention from ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski. Wyshynski called it beautiful, said it was a gift to the ongoing debate, and thanked Caufield.
The clip has been making the rounds on social media since then, with plenty of people taking it as more than simple praise for the Canadiens. Some view it as a subtle shot aimed at Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin.
Caufield, 25, has been one of Montreal’s most productive players this season. He has ten points in eleven games, including six goals, and he sits at a +4 rating. He carries a $7.85 million cap hit and remains one of the club’s top scorers.
His two assists against the Jets were part of a 2-1 Canadiens win, and he was also recently named the team’s wolf head award winner after scoring the game-winning goal against Buffalo. That only adds to the sense that he’s playing with a lot of confidence right now.
The message from Caufield was clear: in his view, the Canadiens are the team the whole country loves. That confidence also brings back memories of the reception Larkin got from fans at the Bell Centre.
Larkin still hasn’t added Montreal to his list, according to Helene St. James, though Chris Johnston has reported some optimism on that front over the past few hours. Caufield’s comment certainly doesn’t make the conversation any quieter.
Montreal, now 6-3-2, visits the Blues in St. Louis on Tuesday before heading to Dallas to face the Stars on Thursday.
In Other News...
Nick Suzukis Absence Suddenly Looks Bigger Than Canadiens Fans Hoped
Nick Suzukis absence is starting to feel more substantial for the Canadiens than it did at first glance, even as the team has kept winning without its captain. Suzuki is sidelined with an upper-body injury and will head back to Montreal after the Heritage Classic rather than stay with the club on the road trip, where he has been working through recovery with the teams medical staff.
The short-term good news is that Montreal has found a way to keep stacking results without him, but the bigger picture around Suzuki is less clear. He is expected to be out for a stretch, and there is at least some concern that he may not have been fully healthy even before this latest setback, which makes his status one of the more important things to watch once the Canadiens return home. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Face A Painful Goalie Decision As Montembeault Nears Return
Samuel Montembeaults return is getting closer, and for the Canadiens that means the calendar is starting to squeeze a goaltending picture that was already crowded. Jacob Fowler has taken over as the primary option in net, while the organization has tried to manage its depth with Montembeault and Jakub Dobes both still on the roster.
The complication is that Montreal cannot simply shuffle its way out of the problem. Montembeault and Dobes would have to clear waivers to go to Laval, and with Montembeaults contract set to expire next summer, the front office is staring at a decision that could shape both the present and the near future. Recent signings around the league may also make the trade market less straightforward than it looked a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Draw A Firm Line As Trade Push Heats Up
The Canadiens have been busy enough in the trade market to keep their phones ringing, but one name appears to be off limits no matter how active the talks get. NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that Montreal has no intention of moving top prospect Michael Hage, even as his name has surfaced in discussions around the league, a reminder that the front office is looking for ways to improve without stripping away one of its most promising young pieces.
Montreals willingness to explore deals has clearly not changed its view of Hages value, and that matters for a club trying to balance the present with the future. The Canadiens also had a timely boost on the ice, edging the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic behind Jacob Fowlers 33-save effort, but the bigger question for the organization may be how far it is willing to go when rival teams come asking for help. [Read more 🡒]