Colefield, college star adds “young energy” to the NHL playoffs

Cole Caufield set the winner of overtime each time when the Montreal Canadiens were one goal away from losing in the first round and one goal away from reaching the Stanley Cup semifinals again.

Cowfield dominated college hockey just two months ago, but suddenly at the age of 20, he became the key player in NHL’s most famous franchise. With Colorado forwards Alex Newhook and San Polanta, and Florida goalkeeper Spencer Knight, Corfield’s success is in a year with more teams jumping into the playoffs that have just played off the full season of college. It can stimulate their lineup to breathe fresh blood during the most intense times.

Tony Granato, Wisconsin coach, said: “Nothing is better in the lineup than young energy can enter the locker room and add speed and young feet to the lineup. Every team needs it.”

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There is no doubt that the Canadians needed Caulfield. They have been 7-1 since he joined their lineup. The transformation of Montreal was very remarkable, even if NFL All-Pro JJ Watt noticed it.

“Caufield has been an absolute playmaker since it was added to the lineup.” Watt tweeted.. “A wonderful call from the person who proposed it.”

It will be Dominique Dusham, who has gradually gained confidence in Caulfield. Caulfield’s 52 points in 31 games in Wisconsin prompted him to win the Hockey Baker Award as a top NCAA player, but moved to a quick stint in the American Hockey League and Canadian in April. It wasn’t that important when I joined Zu.

Cowfield scored 5 points in the first 10 NHL games and has four important assists in the playoffs, but the 5-foot7 dynamo, which shows that he can hang on the pros, is more than an aggressive produce. It was a thing. Former NHL scout Dave Starman said Caulfield is more confident in handling the puck in his zone and his commitment to becoming an all-round player has not been overlooked by his coach staff. I did.

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“Whenever I give details or talk about something in his game or team game with or without a pack, he really pays attention. You can see if you’re back in the same situation. His reaction is different, “says Ducharme. Said. “He takes his game and team seriously, so put him on the ice and see how he gets better with these little things each time you step on it, and that’s what you become as a coach. It’s a way to gain confidence. “

He is at the same time humbled because of all the confidence Cowfield shows on the ice. Granato believes it is important to join the NHL team as a young player later in the season.

“You learn from each game, grow and make adjustments in the process,” Caulfield said. “But they made me feel pretty comfortable, and the coach staff welcomed me and taught me how to play here really fast.”

There is no choice but to adjust quickly. Participating in the playoff series along the way is like jumping on a moving train, which is difficult even for veterans.

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Newhook and Lanta were treated for Colorado after Director Jared Bednar felt they deserved a spot in the lineup. “I don’t know until I try it. I don’t think I’m afraid to try it in many situations,” Bednar said.

Montreal and Colorado did not try this first. Recent history of players who jumped into the NHL playoffs from college includes the Rangers Cris Rider in 2012, Charlie McAvoy in Bruins in 2017, and Kale McAvoy in Avalanche in 2019.

“I think Kale and I joined the lineup to help the team win,” said Newhook, who admitted to facilitating the transition for Macar. “Giving the opportunity (to be) is clearly a big part of it, and then what you do with it is another.”

Newhook goalkeeper at Boston University’s night took full advantage of his opportunity when the Panthers nodded to defending champion Tampa Bay in the middle of the first round. Knight stopped 56 of his 60 Lightning shots, showing the same determination he had when he backstopped Caulfield and the United States to the World Junior Championships last winter.

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“He’s a man. He’s passing (hard) really quickly,” said Brooks Orpik, an assistant at Boston University. “He’s never cheeky, but he’s very confident just because of how well he prepares and how much he takes care of himself.”

Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said jumping into the NHL wasn’t a big leap because Lanta took care of him. After coaching Cowfield and seeing New Hook and Knight, he’s not surprised that they could quickly influence the pros.

“We are now starting to get a lot of praise in college games about what’s happening here and how these kids are growing up,” Motsuko said. .. “Children also have a lot of work. How they train today and how they prepare and enter the season is quite different from 10 years ago. They are much more focused and Their eyes are on the ball to reach that level and they are ready for it when that happens. “

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Starman, now an analyst at CBS Sports Network, has credited college coaches and programs for its development. He likens Caufield, Newhook, Ranta, and Knight to the elite college quarterbacks that are ready to play in the NFL.

“If these kids come out much more prefabricated than they used to be, it’s just a bonus to the NHL team,” Starman said. “It’s very difficult to achieve without joining a league that isn’t ready to play, so it’s a credit and lineup of these programs that are producing players who are ready to step into the NHL. But actually do something with it. “

Getting that place is half the challenge. Cowfield’s participation meant removing Montreal’s Cup-winning 17-year veteran trade pickup Eric Staal from the lineup.

“It’s the NHL, the best league in the world, and for now I can’t think of what this guy did two months ago,” Ducharme said. “I really know what’s going on right now and who’s playing well.”

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It’s certainly Caulfield, setting Nick Suzuki for the overtime goal of keeping the Canadians alive against the other Toronto and Tyler Toffoli, who eliminated Winnipeg and entered the third round. The smiles of older players matched the seemingly lasting smiles of Caulfield at the moment, demonstrating the value of adding fresh young talent when the game was most important.

“When a guy like Corfield can jump into the Montreal Canadiens lineup and add that type of energy to the team, Corey Perry gets better, Eric Staal gets better, Shea Weber gets better, and Carey Price. Get better because this young hungry kid is flying around, “Granato said. “You can’t actually put a measuring bar on what that means for the changing room.”

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AP hockey writer John Wowlow contributed to this report.

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Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno.

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