Caufield healthy ahead of season after shoulder surgery

Cole Caufield will join his Montreal Canadiens teammates for training camp after shoulder surgery cut his 2022-23 season short.

"It feels better than it did before, I can tell you that," Caufield said, according to NHL.com's Sean Farrell. "So, I'm really excited, ready to go, and it feels 100%."

He added, "It's been a long summer and I'm just happy to be back."

Caufield was injured during a game in December and shut down for the season nearly a month later. He conceded at the time that the operation was the best option for his long-term health but said he would have played through the ailment if the Canadiens were in the playoff hunt.

Montreal finished 15th in the Eastern Conference last season with a 31-45-6 record. Caufield tied for the team lead in goals (26) despite only playing in 46 games.

Caufield has flourished since Martin St. Louis took over as Canadiens head coach, racking up 48 goals in 83 games. Montreal rewarded the star winger for his offensive breakout with an eight-year, $62.8-million extension that kicks in this season.