Bergevin recommends Caufield stay in NCAA next season: 'He's not ready'

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin is staying patient with one of the club's most promising prospects.

Bergevin will recommend that forward Cole Caufield continue his development with the NCAA's Wisconsin Badgers next season.

"Cole Caufield is having a good year [in the NCAA]," Bergevin said, according to La Presse's Mathias Brunet. "But, in our eyes, he is not ready. We will make a decision at the end of the year. If he really wants to leave college, we won't force him, but we'll recommend that he stay [in Wisconsin]. That doesn't mean it's a disappointment."

Montreal selected Caufield with the 15th overall pick at the 2019 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old freshman is enjoying a terrific season with the Badgers, leading the club in both goals (19) and points (35) across 33 games.

Bergevin says there's a chance Caufield could play with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate in Laval next season, but the 54-year-old executive would rather not rush the 5-foot-7 winger along in a high-pressure market like Montreal.

"We aim best for its long-term development," Bergevin said. "We are still having discussions internally. It is also possible that we will see him in Laval next year. But Laval too, it will be difficult. It is a league of men.

“What scares Montreal is the expectations. And we, as much as possible, try to reduce expectations. It is not to be negative, but it is reality. It's difficult for Jack Hughes this year; that doesn't mean he's a bad player."

Caufield is part of a crop of bright young talents for the Canadiens, which includes 20-year-old forward Nick Suzuki, who's enjoyed a strong rookie campaign in 2019-20 so far.