Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield will miss the remainder of the season because of a right shoulder injury, the team announced Saturday.
Caufield will undergo surgery in the near future.
The 22-year-old winger played 17:41 in the team’s last game on Thursday against the Florida Panthers.
The team said Saturday that Caufield has been playing with the injury for a while.
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels spoke with Caufield’s agent, Pat Brisson, on Saturday who said ending the forward’s season will ensure he is 100 per cent for the 2023-24 campaign.
Brisson also mentioned that contract talks between the two sides are still ongoing. “We’re good,” the agent told Engels. Caufield can become a restricted free agent this summer if a deal is not reached.
Caufield has a team-leading 26 goals to go along with 10 assists for 36 points in 46 games this season.
A first-round pick (15th overall) by the Canadiens in the 2019 NHL Draft, Caufield has 53 goals and 31 assists for 84 points in 123 career NHL games.
The club also announced forward Jonathan Drouin has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 16.
Meanwhile, forward Alex Belzile has been recalled from AHL Laval. He has 13 goals and 12 assists with the Rocket this season.
Sean Monahan, who was placed on long-term injured reserve on Tuesday, practised with the team on Saturday morning, skating in a non-contact jersey.
The 28-year-old has been out since Dec. 5 with a lower-body injury and has scored six goals and 17 points in 25 points with Montreal this year.
Watch the Canadiens face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or SN NOW.
