Yesterday I wrote an article that discussed Dylan Cozens being scouted at recent Sabres’ practices. Cozens in my opinion should be gone at the deadline, he is a solid player but his contract is a detriment to the team with a 7.1 million dollar cap hit for someone on the third line. For what he makes, his numbers have been really down this year, and he has been a defensive liability on the ice as well. Just hours after I wrote that article, Cozens proceeded to have a season-high in assists with three and helped lead a great comeback as the Sabres took down the Ducks 3-2. Over the last few weeks, it feels like half the league has asked about the availability of Dylan Cozens. After his big performance, the question that looms is, has Dylan Cozens improved his trade stock?
Cozens had a career year in the 22-23 season where he notched the first 30 goal-30 assist season of his career. He has shown that he can be a top-six center in this league, but he has yet to replicate his production from that year. Cozens is still just 24 years old and is just starting his prime years, and there is certainly plenty of time for him to regain his scoring confidence. However, I just don’t know if he will find that stride in Buffalo again.
The Sabres have a sad history of trading guys who go on to play great hockey on other teams. I think it is just a change of scenery for most players, that allows them to flourish again and play better. Sam Reinhart, Brandon Montour, Ryan O’Reilly, and Jack Eichel to name a few are guys that have gone to different teams and performed at a high level before really finding their stride in Buffalo. However, I think Cozens may be an exception as we move closer to the March 7th Trade Deadline.
As talented as I think Cozens will be in his career, the Sabres need to move on and Kevyn Adams needs to think about the future of this hockey team. Unloading a talent like Cozens will land you some solid players and prospects, it will clear seven million off the books, and free up a spot on the third line. Getting rid of Cozens will also give you the money you need to sign guys like Jason Zucker, JJ Peterka, and Henri Jokiharju, and extend guys like Alex Tuch. There are more names I could mention but keeping several players as opposed to one is something that should be done 10/10 times as you keep the core of this team together.