In the 2019 amateur auction, the Habs selected Cole Caufield at #15. Say that luck stuck to the Tricolore since Caufield had the talent to go in the top 5, but some people didn't like his small size.
In the 2020 draft, the Winnipeg Jets took Cole Perfetti with the 10th overall pick. A somewhat frail, but very dynamic, refined and intelligent center. He worked hard on his main weakness, his skate. To best describe Perfetti, he reminds me a bit of Nick Suzuki.
That being said, Paul Maurice is very impressed with the 19-year-old's skill set, especially his quick hands. Watch his goal in the shootout against the Ottawa Senators and you'll be blown away.
"You know what, he's a very smart player. He's got a killer shootout feint, and the rest is just a matter of time and practice. He's got to go out on the ice and get a feel for the speed of the game. He's doing all the right things. It's an indication that at some point you can get him on the ice even if he doesn't score. That's the key for talented guys. What do you do without the puck?" - Maurice
Glorious, Mr. Maurice. But will he have the audacity to keep the young man with the club? In the 2019-20 campaign with the Saginaw Spirit, he recorded 111 points, including 37 goals, in 61 games. In 2021, he was able to play 32 games with the Manitoba Moose with whom he collected an impressive 26 points.
