LATEST | Montreal Canadiens sign young star to long-term contract

After weeks of waiting, Montreal Canadiens fans were delighted to find out on Monday that the team has signed Caufield, who was set to become a restricted free agent, to an eight-year contract worth $62.8 million ($7.85 million AAV).

The 22-year-old was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and five spots after Vancouver Canucks prospect Vasily Podkolzin. Podkolzin hasn't panned out as Vancouver would have hoped, but there's still time given his age, but it's probably safe to say that Canucks fans would much rather have Cole Caufield.

Caufield, a native of Stevens Point (Wisconsin), was on pace to surpass the 30 and even 40 goal mark this past season, if he remained healthy. Unfortunately in January, Caufield's season ended due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. He finished the 2022-23 campaign with 36 points (26 goals, ten assists), two penalty minutes and was a minus-ten in 46 games.