Caufield arrives in March

How do you know? He can stay in college as long as he wants

I've watched him play quite a bit being a Badger fan. His game isn't ready for the NHL. It's not even a size thing, it's the lack of a 2-way game. His d-zone play is below average for the college level.

He'll need AHL time to round out his game.

No idea if he comes or goes, just guessing. He did say from the get go (after the draft, and again at camp) that he wants to get to the NHL as fast as possible. And Bergevin also stated more times than I can count that he thinks Caufield only does one year in the NCAA. but how knows, people can change their minds. Look at Primeau, he intended to stay for a 3rd year in college. he did two. Poehling said he wanted to do his max 4 years, he did 3. Caufield said he wanted to do zero lol and basically had no choice but to do (at least) 1. Odds of Wisconsin's season ending in March are high, my guess after their done, Caufiled signs with the Habs, plays a few games, and perhaps tries to go to Laval with their playoff run if he can be eligible.

no disagreement there, I'm not sure how AHL playoff eligibility works. but I see no issue with Caufield signing, playing a few Habs games to test the waters, then go to Laval for the playoffs

His defensive game needs work, no doubt. He won't be a perfect player.

But the goal scoring hype is real imo.

https://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/wisconsin-badgers-cole-caufield-hat-trick-notre-dame-college-hockey-012520