Team USA’s 4 Nations Roster Might Not Include Rising Star Cole Caufield
The Montreal Canadiens have had a rough beginning to the 2024-25 NHL season. Despite Cole Caufield leading the league with 12 goals, they are currently in last place in the entire league.
The Wisconsin native is looking forward to the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off and aiming to secure a spot on the American team. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun stated that it is unlikely that Canadiens player Cole Caufield will be included in Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“No final decisions have been made, but our understanding is that despite his really great start offensively, Cole Caufield is on the outside looking in for that 23-man roster for Team USA. It speaks to the ridiculous depth Team USA has, arguably the greatest depth it’s ever had in the history of best-on-best hockey.‘ : Said Pierre LeBrun.
“Caufield enters Thursday tied for the NHL lead with 12 goals on the campaign. However, he has only one assist and his defensive metrics are poor. He’s posted minus-2.4 expected defensive goals above replacement this season, a bottom-10 mark among NHL forwards, per Evolving-Hockey.”
LeBrun mentioned that Caufield still has a chance to make the team, but they have narrowed it down to around four or five final choices. Caufield, at 23 years old, has excelled on the offensive end but faced challenges in other areas of play. The Score put his poor defensive performance into context.
LeBrun mentioned that Caufield still has a chance to make the team, but they have narrowed it down to around four or five final choices. Caufield, at 23 years old, has excelled on the offensive end but faced challenges in other areas of play. The score put his poor defensive performance into context.
Even though Caufield is not part of this tournament, he deserves a spot on the 2026 Olympics team. He will age by one year, feel the letdown of not making the team, and improve his defensive skills. If they cannot score, Caufield will also be an easy target for the American fans. Not including him is a gamble, but it shouldn’t be an issue given the numerous scorers on the team.
If Caufield keeps scoring for the Canadiens, he will eventually earn a spot on Team USA during his career. He seems to have reached his peak just in time to participate in top-tier tournaments. Only one event has taken place since the 2010 Olympics, the 2016 World Cup, with two more scheduled for the upcoming year.
Caufield has the potential to shock everyone by scoring a large number of goals in the next fortnight and quietly making it onto the team. If he is the top scorer when the rosters are completed in December, he might end up representing the colors of the American flag.
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