BUFFALO | Kent Hughes has a big job to do before he tackles the many top draft prospect interviews at NHL ratings camp (combinations). He rooted Cole Caufield in Montreal for the next eight seasons by offering him a 62.8 million (average 7.85 million) pact.
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Meeting with reporters at the KeyBank Arena in Buffalo, Hughes first uttered a few words about this new arrangement.
The Canadian’s general manager confirmed information from Pat Brisson, Caufield’s agent, that captain Nick Suzuki’s contract served as a cap at 7.875 million.
“That was a factor for us in that context,” Hughes said. He is a player who is about to expire on his rookie contract. He signed a long-term contract. Data will always change. But it was important to us (not to exceed Suzuki’s salary).
“Cole is a team person,” he continued. The contract represented his market value. Cole wanted to stay in Montreal long-term. »
Destroy a prejudice
Caufield will therefore wear the CH shirt until the end of the 2030-2031 season. In the case of Suzuki, seven more seasons remain in the contract (2029–2030).
In doing so, Hughes secured the future of his offensive core for a very long time.
“We wanted the long term,” he explained. I often hear that players don’t want to play in Montreal. I’m not told that by players or agents. But we hear it often. »
“That may have been the case in the past, but I disagree. The players are happy when they are in a good environment and play good hockey. It is important to us. Cole wanted to be there and it sends a message to others that good players want to play anywhere in Montreal. »