It’s time to say it loud and clear: Cole Caufield deserves more than the merciless criticism aimed at him.
TVA Sports journalist Anthony Martineau was scathing, and with good reason.
He went to bat for Caufield, expressing what many of us are thinking quietly. Enough is enough. We must stop denigrating a player who, game after game, makes the nets and the hearts of fans vibrate.
Are we too harsh on Cole Caufield? The answer is a resounding yes. How is it that, despite leading the NHL in scoring with 12 goals, we still find ways to criticize him?
His defensive deficiencies constantly come back to the table, as if they cancel out his offensive exploits. But let’s ask ourselves the real question: What do we really want from him?
Anthony Martineau reminded us of this so well during his column on the JiC show on TVA Sports. We have an unfortunate tendency to underestimate our natural markers, to always add a “yes, but…” to their name.
Martineau’s words hit the nail on the head: Michael Ryder was not skating fast enough. Tyler Toffoli didn’t have a good enough skate, Mike Cammalleri didn’t cut in the middle, Max Pacioretty, despite his size, wasn’t physical and robust enough.
And yet, when these players left, we regretted them bitterly.
With Cole Caufield, it’s the same scenario that repeats itself. He is criticized for his defensive play, his puck recovery, as if these aspects defined the very essence of his role.
But let’s remember: hockey is a sport where scoring goals is one of the hardest things to accomplish.
And Caufield excels in this art. It is a natural marker, a real nugget of gold.
As the TVA Sports journalist says, let’s face the figures. Caufield is first in his draft year in goals per game average (0.42), he leads in game-winning goals (18), and he is second in five-on-five goals (66) and shots (731) among all players selected in the 2019 draft. What more could you ask for?
Caufield is not a perfect player. So what? He does exactly what is expected of him according to the salary he is given: he scores goals and he produces.
Why do we constantly seek to change it, to criticize it, to minimize its impact? Don’t we see how lucky we are to have such talent in our ranks?
It’s time to do some soul-searching. If we continue to denigrate our best elements, to push them towards the exit with our incessant criticism, we will only have ourselves to blame when they shine under other skies.
Cole Caufield deserves our unconditional support, our admiration, our respect. He carries on his shoulders the hopes of a team, a city, a hockey nation.
Let’s stop looking for the little beast. Let’s applaud his exploits, encourage him in more difficult times, celebrate the exceptional player that he is.
Anthony Martineau had the courage to say it, and we should all listen to him. Cole Caufield is an invaluable asset for the Montreal Canadiens. Let’s not make the mistake of letting it slip away because of unfounded criticism.
Hockey is a sport of emotions, passion, dedication. And Cole embodies all of these values. He plays with heart, with energy, with pure talent. It’s time to fully recognize and support it.
For him, for the team, for all of us who love this sport…and especially the goals…
Cole, continues to make us dream. We are behind you.
