Tuesday night, the Canadiens confirmed that Caufield would return to college in the 2020-21 season, a decision the team said was made after a discussion between Caufield, the Badgers and the NHL team.

“This additional year in the NCAA will benefit Cole and will allow him to continue developing his skills within the Badgers’ environment,” Bergevin said in a statement. “Cole is an important part of the Montreal Canadiens’ future and we will continue to follow his development with interest.”

The freshman from Stevens Point showed the ability to hit the net in bunches, recording two goals in each of his first three games and a hat trick at Notre Dame on Jan. 24. His play in the defensive zone and in retreating to it to help prevent opponent scoring chances was where his game needed to improve.

“To play in the NHL, you’ve got to play in all the zones,” he said in a February interview. “Otherwise, somebody’s going to take your spot.”

In a second college season, Caufield also can narrow the gap between being a good NCAA player who’ll still need some grooming to make it in the NHL and an elite-level talent who can make the jump seamlessly.