The Buffalo Sabres are particularly thin at right-wing in their prospect pool. They also lack an abundance of scoring forwards in their system. The selection of Cole Caufield checks both of those needs.
The 18-year-old is coming off an excellent U18 World Championship performance for Team USA. He scored 14 and 18 points in seven games for the Americans.
Caufield filled the net all season for the U18 US Development program. He scored 72 goals in 64 games for the USDP. Brining his full season goal total to 86 goals when you combine the World Championship and USDP scoring.
If you didn’t notice in the box above, the biggest mark against Caufield is his height. Elite Prospects has him listed at 5’7. When the NHL Scouting Combine gets underway this week in Buffalo, his height and weight measurements will be something of interest for scouts.
Caufield’s shot and ability to find the space in the defense are his biggest strengths. He has a quick release and the puck jumps off his stick. His vision allows him to find the soft spots in the offensive zone to get open for his teammates.
#13 for #13. Cole Caufield, nice one. 1-1. #U18Worlds pic.twitter.com/wIAKDV5kP2
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) April 27, 2019
The Sabres will be back on the clock at pick 30 or 31. Well maybe…
- New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes
- New York Rangers: Kaapo Kakko
- Chicago Blackhawks: Alex Turcotte
- Colorado Avalanche (via Ottawa Senators): Kirby Dach
- Los Angeles Kings: Dylan Cozens
- Detroit Red Wings: Bowen Byram