Bergevin expects Caufield to turn pro after college season

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin expects one of his team's top prospects, Cole Caufield, to turn pro once his college season with Wisconsin wraps up.

"He has progressed a lot in the last year, but again it's too early to tell you exactly what the plans are but expect him to turn pro after this year," Bergevin told reporters Monday. "Now where can he play once his season is over? That remains to be seen."

Bergevin was noncommittal on when Caufield could slot in. He pointed to the mandatory 14-day quarantine that Caufield will likely have to fulfill entering Canada and the Canadiens' status around the April 12 trade deadline, at which point the college season would have concluded.

Montreal drafted Caufield 15th overall in 2019. He has 17 goals and 33 points in 22 games with Wisconsin this season and captured a gold medal with Team USA at this year's world juniors.

Bergevin recommended last year that Caufield spend another season with the Badgers to potentially develop into a player who could make the leap to the pros.