5-on-5 primary passing: Cole Caufield is among the NHL’s elite

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Crédit:

Cole Caufield is one of the best goal scorers the Habs have had in a very long time. The Habs’ diminutive forward has a flair for the net, scoring 37 goals in 2024-25.

He finished the campaign tied for 13th in the NHL for most goals.

But what was particularly impressive about Caufield this year was how dominant he was at 5-on-5. In fact, if you look at all NHL players last year, only 12 scored more points than Caufield in this phase of the game.

(Credit: Screenshot/Evolving-Hockey)

It’s not all that surprising when you consider that he was among the league’s elite in terms of 5-on-5 goals scored… but if he’s so high up in the rankings, it’s because he’s also distinguished himself in terms of assists.

And when you look at the numbers, you come to just that: in 2024-25, at 5-on-5, only 21 players amassed more primary assists than Caufield across the NHL.

For a goal-scorer who some didn’t see being able to succeed at 5-on-5, that’s really, really impressive.

(Credit: Screenshot/Twitter)

Caufield’s 17 primary assists puts him in first place with the Habs, even ahead of Nick Suzuki. The captain still has 16, which is far from bad (he ranks 29th in the NHL), but it’s less than Caufield.

What all this shows is that Caufield has really succeeded in becoming a much more complete player without losing his identity. The line he forms with Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovský is dominant on the ice, and it’s all due (in part, at least) to the fact that Caufield has found a way to contribute in so many ways.

And all without losing his scoring touch.

Martin St-Louis deserves credit for motivating Caufield to find ways to help his team win games. And today, we have to admit that it’s all paying off for the Habs.

Because no, Caufield isn’t just a 5-on-5 scorer (as was once the case): he’s one of the NHL’s best forwards, period.

Overtime

– Speaking of Caufield. He’ll want to try and carve out a place for himself in that group.

– What do you think?

– Can’t wait to see what the club’s plan is.