Buffalo Sabres
Trade Talk Grows: Sabres’ Dylan Cozens NHL’s New Wanted Man
The Buffalo Sabres have a problem as center Dylan Cozens is being eyed by teams around the NHL, and trade talk grows.
The vultures are circling with the Buffalo Sabres. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet in his latest 32 Thoughts in written form and podcast, teams are calling about Sabres forward Dylan Cozens. A former 31-goal scorer in the NHL, it’s not hard to see why teams might be intrigued, particularly if the Sabres are starting to panic and feel the need to shake things up.
Friedman wrote:
“Alright, some other stuff: Buffalo is getting calls on Dylan Cozens. This would terrify me if I were the Sabres, vultures circling overhead while player and team struggle. Right-shot centre, 23 years old, two years removed from a 30-goal season. He’s also signed for five more seasons at a $7.1M AAV, helping his value. I would be very, very careful with this because he’s legitimately wanted.”
With the Sabres about to go 14 years without a playoff appearance, the longest active streak in professional sports history, teams around the NHL are wondering about Cozens and if they can get another player out of Buffalo to reach his full potential.
Last week, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams commented on not having “Palm Trees” to attract players. Adams said:
“You become a perennial playoff team that has a chance to win the Stanley Cup year after year, and you’re on less no-trade lists. We don’t have palm trees. We have taxes in New York. Those are real. Those are things you deal with.”
However, he failed to address the issue of the losing culture and the fact that Sabres draft picks have thrived outside of Buffalo. Just look at the players the Buffalo Sabres have drafted over the years and the Cozens.
The Sabres Have Bailed on So Much Talent: Could Cozens Be Next?
During the team’s playoff drought, the Sabres have drafted Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel, Casey Mittelstadt, Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Owen Power, Matthew Savoie, Zach Benson, and Cozens. Not to mention Dahlin and Power were both number one picks.
Out of the 10 draft picks that are listed, four of them were traded, including, most recently, Savoie. If Cozens were to leave, that would be five. Previous managers brought in free agents like Ryan O’Reilly, Robin Lehner, Evan Rodgriues, Ville Leino, and so on. As it has been reported, how did this team not win with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart on the team?

The Sabres have a development problem, unlike other organizations. They feel players are ready for the NHL when they might need a little more seasoning in the AHL. The talent is there for these players, but putting it together takes time.
Cozens is an ideal fit for teams looking for center help around the league. Teams like Pittsburgh, Nashville, and, of course, the Calgary Flames. The Flames especially would like a right-shot center that fits their age range. Not to mention, their general manager would move a first-round draft pick to get a player of his age.
There would be other teams as well circling to get his abilities. The problem is for the Buffalo Sabres; if they were to move Dylan Cozens, it would be another in a long line of mistakes, with young players who would thrive outside the organization.
Next: Sharks Salary Retention Issue Puts Coveted D-Man on Trade Block
