Cole Caufield will probably be out the remainder of the season for the Montreal Canadiens due to an harm to his proper shoulder that can require surgical procedure.
An replace on his restoration interval will probably be issued following the surgical procedure.
“I imply, he received damage earlier his season,” coach Martin St. Louis mentioned. “[It’s] one thing he was taking part in with and he was getting evaluated each sport. It is one thing he needed to take care of. We received some data late final night time that despatched us down this path.”
Caufield, who turned 22 on Jan. 2, leads the Canadiens with 26 objectives in 46 video games this season and is second in factors (36) behind middle Nick Suzuki (38 factors; 16 objectives, 22 assists).
He had had three pictures on purpose, two giveaways, one takeaway and a blocked shot in 17:41 of ice time in a 6-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
“Clearly, it is powerful for Cole,” mentioned Suzuki, Montreal’s captain. “I really feel for him, and he needs to be right here and play. And he is a bit upset, however I feel it will likely be greatest for his future and subsequent 12 months, for certain.
“Clearly, he is an necessary participant for us and a giant piece within the locker room and on the ice, and everybody goes to must step up and attempt to add a little bit of Cole’s enthusiasm and vitality and what he brings to the rink day by day.”
Canadiens ahead Josh Anderson, who had surgical procedure on his left shoulder whereas a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 2, 2020, mentioned he talked with Caufield in regards to the process earlier than follow Saturday.
“It was all constructive discuss, realizing he will be 100% OK, he will recuperate from this and be higher for it as nicely,” Anderson mentioned. “I instructed him once I received operated on, my left shoulder feels stronger than my proper. So, he preferred listening to that half. I am nonetheless assured he is nonetheless going to attain extra objectives than he has right this moment, so it will make him stronger, for certain.”
Chosen by the Canadiens with the No. 15 choose within the 2019 NHL Draft, Caufield has 84 factors (53 objectives, 31 assists) in 123 video games over three NHL seasons. He additionally had 12 factors (4 objectives, eight assists) in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff video games in 2020-21, when Montreal misplaced to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 5 video games within the Cup Closing.
On Thursday, Canadiens normal supervisor Kent Hughes mentioned it was Montreal’s need to signal Caufield to a long-term contract. Caufield can grow to be a restricted free agent after this season.
Caufield’s harm is the newest that has hampered the Canadiens.
Ahead Sean Monahan (decrease physique) was positioned on long-term injured reserve Monday, ahead Juraj Slafkovsky will probably be out three months with a lower-body harm, middle Jake Evans will probably be out 8-10 weeks with a lower-body harm, and forwards Jonathan Drouin and Joel Armia every will probably be out till the NHL All-Star break due to an upper-body harm, and goalie Jake Allen might be out one week with an upper-body harm.
Drouin was positioned on injured reserve Saturday, retroactive to Jan. 16. Montreal additionally recalled ahead Alex Belzile from Laval of the American Hockey League.
NHL.com workers author Tracey Myers and impartial correspondent Sean Farrell contributed to this report
