Cole Caufield spent part of the offseason in a pretty glamorous seat, taking in the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium alongside Trevor Zegras, Dylan Larkin and Filip Forsberg.
That put the Canadiens winger on a short list of Montreal players who have watched World Cup action this summer. Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes were earlier spotted in Florida for Portugal’s group-stage meeting with Colombia, a match that ended scoreless. Caufield’s trip didn’t exactly deliver a goal-fest at first either, because the Final was still 0-0 after regulation even with Spain controlling the game against Argentina.
The breakthrough finally came in overtime, and it arrived after Argentina were reduced to 10 men when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a reckless challenge in stoppage time of the second half. Argentina managed just one blocked attempt, two shots off target and nothing on net, which made life far too easy for Spain. It wasn’t much different from the Canadiens’ playoff struggles, and Caufield would have had plenty to study there.
If the group wanted a more entertaining match, the third-place game in Miami on Saturday would have been the better ticket. England and France combined for 10 goals in a 6-4 finish, with England jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first half before France pushed back hard after the break.
Even so, being at the Final is no small thing. And with Larkin in the mix, Caufield may have even had a chance to pitch Montreal as a possible destination.
Larkin is under contract for five seasons at a $8.7 million cap hit, and the article notes he could be the kind of center who helps unlock Demidov’s full potential. There is also the question of whether he would stay put for the full deal, since a player who has already forced his way out once can always raise that concern again, especially with the no-trade clause attached to the contract.
In Other News...
Canadiens Fans Are Still Waiting On One Martin St-Louis Decision
The Canadiens are still waiting on Martin St-Louis to put pen to paper on the contract extension many around the team expected to be a formality by mid-July. It is a little out of step with how Montreal has handled coaching business in the past, especially after the club moved quickly on extensions in 2022 and 2024, but there has been no official sign of trouble as the front office and head coach keep carrying on as usual.
Even so, the longer the decision lingers, the more natural it is for outside speculation to creep in about where things stand. For now, the mood around the situation remains positive, and there is nothing to suggest the Canadiens view this as anything more than a delay in getting a deal done. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Trade Talk Suddenly Fits The Plan Fans Have Debated All Summer
The Canadiens summer of roster debate has mostly centered on one familiar question: how does Kent Hughes add more speed, skill and flexibility without crowding the young core already in place? That is why the latest trade chatter has such an easy fit in Montreal, with the focus landing on players who could slide into different spots up front and give the lineup a little more punch if the right deal comes along.
What makes the conversation interesting is that the options being discussed all bring something a little different to the table, from centre-wing versatility to a more direct scoring threat. Hughes has shown a willingness to keep looking for moves that match the teams long-term plan, and this is the kind of speculation that naturally gets fans talking because it feels less like a random rumor and more like the sort of swing Montreal has been waiting to make. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Let A Real Free Agency Chance Quietly Slip Away
Anthony Manthas offseason market offered a small window into how the Canadiens are approaching free agency under Kent Hughes. Mantha said Montreal did talk with him, which fits with a team that has been willing to explore options, but also one that has been selective about where it spends its money and what kind of player it wants to add.
Mantha was looking for a longer-term commitment, and Montreal never got comfortable enough with the fit to keep pushing. Hughes has made it clear the Canadiens are not interested in forcing a move just to say they were active, and this was another example of that caution shaping the roster, even if it meant letting a recognizable name move on. [Read more 🡒]