Buffalo Sabres: What does Tyson Kozak bring to the organization?

The Buffalo Sabres signed one of their more exciting late-round prospects to their entry-level contract on Friday, August 19th.

Just a few days ago, I wrote that Tyson Kozak was the one unsigned Buffalo Sabres prospect to watch in 2022-23 (link at the bottom of this article). But the Sabres had other ideas, and roughly 48 hours after I wrote the article, they signed Kozak to an entry-level contract, and he is one of the best signings of the offseason.

While Kozak won’t debut for the Rochester Americans until next season, he has an opportunity to dominate for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL this year. In 2021-22, Kozak, listed as a team captain, did just that, compiling 69 points in 66 games, 32 of which went for goals.

And odds are, you won’t find many prospects with such a high hockey IQ combined with incredible instincts. Those instincts were responsible for his many goals last year, and you can expect even greater output in 2022-23 as the game continues to slow down for him.

Former Buffalo Sabres seventh round pick Tyson Kozak can realistically become part of the main roster two or three seasons from today.

Despite the strong nucleus of young players brewing in Buffalo, they cannot keep everyone. And this is what makes someone like Kozak so valuable to the organization. Suppose the Sabres fail to re-sign Peyton Krebs or Casey Mittelstadt in 2024, someone like Kozak would provide a sensational security blanket.

If by any chance that does not occur on the main roster given the influx of talent heading into Rochester, he would, at worst, evolve into a high-end AHL prospect if and when such a situation arises. This is one reason why it’s so important to have sound depth down in the AHL.

But if he outperforms the likes of Isak Rosen, Aleksandr Kisakov, Josh Bloom, Olivier Nadeau, Filip Cederqvist, Lukas Rousek, and others next season or the following year, he could be the guy making it to the next level. Therefore, Kozak brings yet another layer of depth and sound offensive and defensive skills to the Buffalo Sabres.

Look for Kozak to take over games this year. And despite his status as a seventh round pick in 2021, I wouldn’t put it past him to outperform the likes of Kisakov, Rosen, Bloom, and company when he gets his chance in Rochester as early as next season.

(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)