America's Top Goal Scorer Wasn't Selected for the 4 Nations.
America's Top Goal Scorer Wasn't Selected for the 4 Nations.
I’m sure a lot of articles are being written about the 4 Nations, mostly about who was left off the roster. I’m not calling for any heads here, but I’m not calling this a very hard decision when I see that Brock Nelson was selected over Cole Caufield.
Nothing against Nelson, but he’s not having a great year. Neither is Chris Kreider but I get why he would get the nod. I believe Team USA needs Caufield because he’s a guaranteed goal-scorer. There is no American with more goals this season. He’s three off the league lead. I guess if he was leading the league in goals he still would be left off.
Was the team trying to be “bigger” is that what I am led to believe? They have enough of those guys. Last year in the World Championships, Caufield was a point-per-game player and third on the team in goals. That should have counted for something.
I just can’t find the metric that tells me that Caufield isn’t worthy. I guess that’s on me and no matter what I write, he’s not making the team. All fans can do is see how the team does without him. Sometimes these decisions are made in a vacuum.
I’ve been on these conference calls and you never get a definitive answer as to why players are left off. Choices are made and that’s what it boils down to.
Caufield has represented his country well. He’s a guy with a perpetual smile and I’m sure he’s going to take the high road here as well. If Team USA struggles for goals, there will be a lot of discussion, that’s for sure.