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Buffalo Sabres: A deeper dive into Dylan Cozens 2022-23 season

By Zach Jezioro

Dec 7, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) celebrates his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) celebrates his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dylan Cozens is coming off a great season with the Buffalo Sabres. Here is a deeper dive into his breakout 2022-23 campaign.

On this edition of the deeper dive series, it’s Dylan Cozens‘ turn. In his third NHL season, the Workhorse from Whitehorse had a breakout season where he played 81 games. Nowadays in the NHL, playing all 82 games or close to a full season is pretty impressive.

In those 81 games, Cozens scored 31 goals and registered 37 assists for a total of 68 points. In his first season, he recorded 13 points in 41 games played. Last season, he had 38 points in 79 games played. It’s no secret this was a breakout season for Dylan, which I saw coming before the 2022-2023 regular season got underway.

Fans should not be surprised by the jump Cozens took. The 2019 seventh overall pick was poised to have a great season. He showed some flashes in his first two years but nothing spectacular. Going from four goals to 13 goals to 31 goals is pretty awesome, but once again, for the kind of player he is, no one should be surprised.

Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens exceeded everyone’s expectations

A huge reason, he was playing alongside a couple of talented players. For pretty much the entire season, Cozens was on a line with JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn. Since day one, they were the perfect second line and at times were the Sabres best line in some games.

Whether you call them the Kid Line or the Kids’ Table, the kids did pretty good this season. Back in February, Cozens signed a seven-year contract extension with Buffalo because of his play. Buffalo now has their top two centers locked up for the long haul with Cozens and Tage Thompson.

Dylan Cozens is just getting started. I am going to make a prediction right now and say that he will score at least 40 goals next season. I think he will continue to keep on getting better and better as his career goes on.

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He is viewed as a cornerstone and for good reason. Not only is he skilled but he can also be a pest at times. Even though I want him to being a force on offense, I love how he has a gritty side to him and I can’t wait to see what he does going forward with the Buffalo Sabres.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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