Cole Caufield will be a restricted free agent this coming summer and NHL rumors are making the rounds on what type of contract will Cauflied have next?
Will he sign a short-term bridge deal or sign a max eight-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens?
Cole Caufield’s next contract will be a bridge deal
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reports the Habs would like to sign Cole Caufield to a long-term eight-year deal with an AVV around what Nick Suzuki signed. Suzuki has an $7,875,000 AVV.
It is believed Caufield is willing to bet on himself and sign a short-term three-year bridge deal and then cash in on the big eight-year long-term deal when the short term deal expires.
Why would Cole Caufield not sign a long-term eight-year deal next summer?
The answer is all about the money! Caufield can make a lot more money if he signs a short-term bridge deal and if his play keeps up, which most NHL Analysts think it will, he can cash in big on the longer contract.
Another factor is the Habs salary cap. The salary cap is expected to rise $4 million this summer and another $8-10 million the next two years. That means more $$$$ in Caufield’s pocket.
Of course Caufield is taking a risk. If a long-term injury happens, it could cost him the big contract he wants when his short-term bridge deal expires.
Agents love to make money and his agent will likely advise him to sign a short-term deal, then go after the big contract in a few years.
From the Montreal Canadiens management perspective, they are taking a gamble to see how the year plays out. If Caufield struggles in the second half of the season, it means more $$$ in the teams pocket instead of signing Caufield to a deal right now.
But if Caufield pots 40 goals this season, the Habs will have to pay up on either a short-term or long-term Caufield contract.
