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3 reasons why Tyson Kozak can make the Buffalo Sabres roster

By Sion Fawkes

Sep 25, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tyson Kozak (48) scores a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tyson Kozak (48) scores a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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At one point, you could call Buffalo Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak a darkhorse to make the roster. But he could make more sense than anyone else.

The Buffalo Sabres need to do all they can to improve themselves defensively, and Tyson Kozak showed that he was arguably the best defensive forward in the prospects pool. He won’t score you many points, but Kozak will create, and he will also make life difficult for opponents who find themselves in the Sabres zone.

With the current state of the roster, Kozak, at this point, has a decent chance to earn a spot out of camp if he can translate his current game to the NHL, contrary to what I was thinking a month ago. Can he get there? Here are three reasons why he may.

Why Tyson Kozak can earn a spot on the Buffalo Sabres

1 – Physicality

The Buffalo Sabres might need another physical forward if Zemgus Girgensons leaves in free agency. At the time of this writing, he has yet to re-sign, and that will leave the Buffalo Sabres down another man.

While general manager Kevyn Adams could look to free agency, there is no denying that Kozak is capable of becoming a physical presence on the Sabres fourth line alongside perhaps Peyton Krebs and Jordan Greenway. Such a line would work wonders for a team that lacked consistency in the physicality department for a while now.

2 – Efficacy on the PK

The Buffalo Sabres ranked 28th on the power play last season, and 15th out of 16 teams in the Eastern Conference. In fact, 61 of their 300 goals allowed came when they were shorthanded, or 20.3%.

This shows us that they need to either sign or recall a forward capable of helping out when opponents are on the man advantage. Tyson Jost played this role last season, but he inevitably tailed off as the year went on and he is not guaranteed to return.

Could another Tyson take his spot? Kozak showed us this past season he was effective in doing his part to kill off penalties. So if Jost doesn’t re-sign, Kozak could step in to replace him if he shows can adjust to the speed of the NHL game.

3 – Winning faceoffs

In 2022-23, Dylan Cozens led the Sabres in faceoff win percentage at 48.3% among players who took 100 or more faceoffs. This proved to be a major problem, and for a while now, Buffalo has had no one capable of consistently winning them.

Kozak showed off this skill in Rochester, and it would work wonders on the PK while in the defensive zone. In close matchups, Buffalo could also use someone like Kozak to win faceoff battles late to serve as a catalyst for creating scoring chances to either send a game into overtime or scoring a game-winning goal late to prevent overtime.

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Overall, while the likes of Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek, Isak Rosen, and Matt Savoie get glamor points, Kozak fulfills a dire need for the Buffalo Sabres. And if Girgensons and Jost don’t re-sign, and if Kevyn Adams doesn’t pursue a defensive-minded forward in free agency or via trade, Kozak could wind up in a blue and gold uniform.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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