Canadiens' Caufield: AHL stint was 'really good for me'

Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield is feeling appreciative of his two-week stint with the team's AHL affiliate.

"It was all about just going down there, kinda refreshing my mind, get my game back, and getting my confidence back," Caufield said in a media scrum, according to TSN. "I feel as though it was really good for me to go down there and find myself as a player and relax and get out of the noise a little bit."

Montreal assigned Caufield to the Laval Rocket on Nov. 1 amid his slow start to the year. He registered just one assist in 10 contests to kick off the 2021-22 campaign, which was a far cry from the 12 points he put up in 20 playoff games during the Canadiens' mystical run to the Stanley Cup Final last season.

Caufield appeared to rediscover his groove in the AHL, scoring two goals and three assists in six games. Montreal recalled him on Nov. 18, which Caufield said was exciting.

"It felt like the first time again. I had a lot of energy those first couple games, and I'm just going to look forward to keeping that going."

Caufield hasn't yet gotten on the scoresheet through two contests since returning to the big club. The 20-year-old said the Habs' message to him was to just be himself.

"For me, personally, I like where my game's at right now. I'm just gonna keep trying to get better," he added.

The Canadiens have struggled throughout the first month of the campaign, stumbling to a 5-13-2 record.

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