Caufield, who won the Hobey Baker Award in 2020-21, his last of two seasons with the Badgers, is in his third full season in the NHL and with Montreal. The forward is starting an eight-year, $62.8 million contract.
Meet the 13 former Wisconsin players on 2023-24 NHL opening day rosters
As the NHL season gets under way, 13 former Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey players will start the season on NHL rosters. Here's a look at where each one is playing.
Cole Caufield, Montreal
Ty Emberson, San Jose
Emberson was claimed on waivers by the Sharks from the New York Rangers on Sept. 30 and made an NHL opening-day roster for the first time. The defenseman played for the Badgers from 2018 to 2021 and is on a one-year contract that pays $775,000 at the NHL level and $85,000 in the American Hockey League.
Trent Frederic, Boston
Dylan Holloway, Edmonton
Luke Kunin, San Jose
Kunin, who played forward at Wisconsin from 2015 to 2017, was limited to 31 games for the Sharks last season because of a torn ACL. He's in the second year of a two-year, $5.5 million contract with San Jose.
Jake McCabe, Toronto
Ryan McDonagh, Nashville
McDonagh, a Badgers defenseman from 2007 to 2010, is starting his second season with the Predators after a trade from Tampa Bay. He's in the fifth year of a seven-year, $47.25 million deal.
K'Andre Miller, New York Rangers
Joe Pavelski, Dallas
Pavelski, 39, avoided free agency last season when he signed a one-year extension with the Stars that has a $3.5 million cap hit. He can earn a $1 million bonus for playing in 10 games and another $1 million for reaching 20 games. The forward played for the Badgers from 2004 to 2006.
Justin Schultz, Seattle
Brendan Smith, New Jersey
Craig Smith, Dallas
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