Caufield's Next Goal Will Be A Canadiens' Milestone Marker

Cole Caufield will tie a Montreal Canadiens legend with his next goal.

The Montreal Canadiens are famous for employing some of the greatest Canadian and Quebec-born skaters ever. As one of the original franchises that formed the NHL in 1917, it's no surprise that the team's best players have been Canadian-born.

However, some Americans have left their mark in the record book, including Max Pacioretty, who holds the all-time goals record (226) for players born in the United States. 

Thanks to six goals in six games to begin 2024-25, Cole Caufield continues to rack up goals and, at his current pace, will easily reach 100 career goals since he enters Tuesday's night contest against the New York Rangers at 87.

When Caufield scores his next goal, he'll tie Chris "Knuckles" Nilan for fourth on the American-born goal-scoring list with 88. The former enforcer, who owns the team's penalty minutes record (2,248), netted 88 goals over ten seasons in 523 games.

After surpassing Nilan, Brian Gionta, who finished his tenure in Montreal with 97 goals, is next on the list. He is followed by Alex Galchenyuk, who ranks second with 108 goals. 

Although Caufield won't finish with the projected totals he's on pace for, a 30-, 40-, or even 50-goal campaign is not out of the question.

Considering he needs only 21 goals to become the second-highest American-born sniper in team history, it's a safe bet he will achieve the milestone before the end of the season.

During his time with the Canadiens, Pacioretty scored at a .36 goals-per-game pace, while the 23-year-old Caufield is filling the net at a .41 goals-per-game pace. 

Ultimately, he can surpass Pacioretty in goals by becoming the fastest American-born player with 227 goals, making him Montreal's 18th leading goal scorer.