There are a few prospects out there who might just earn some ice time if the Sabres keep losing because why not play them, right? Anyway, one of those prospects caught my eye a while back, and he’s played well so far in what’s been a mere five-game sample.
But still, it’s been rather consistent hockey on Tyson Kozak’s part, and he’s someone who’s been giving the Sabres some good returns since he officially signed with the organization a couple of seasons back.
No, Kozak isn’t going to give you many goals or helpers. But that’s not his role in the AHL or the NHL. Instead, it’s all about getting the puck into the offensive zone and taking defensive zone faceoffs.
And guess what? Kozak’s been winning those battles. Currently, he’s taken 41 faceoffs and has won 22 of them. That gives him a solid 53.7 faceoff win percentage, something we like to see from younger players at the NHL level.
Tyson Kozak has shown us gritty, physical play so far in his NHL tenure
While Kozak’s forte remains in the AHL, the Sabres may just have themselves a solid fourth-line center in the making. He can already win faceoffs in the defensive zone, in which 71.4 percent of his starts have occurred, and his 49.3 Corsi For indicates he’s also played a role in making things happen in the offensive zone, even if he’s only been on the ice for two goals for.
That said, I’m expecting Kozak’s 9:23 of average total ice time to trend north as he gains more experience as an NHL player when the Sabres call his number. No, he’s not a full-timer this year and I doubt that will be the case in 2025-26, but if he keeps taking advantage of his chances, he could be a hard-hitting fourth-liner who can also win faceoffs consistently.
Overall, Kozak’s play won’t impress everyone, mainly because his points total will never be flashy. But it’s those who play with that gritty style out there setting things up for your scoring lines, and that’s where Kozak’s value has and will continue to come in.
I’m excited to see what he’ll bring, hopefully, to the Sabres two, three, and four years from today once he’s playing full-time. Until then, Kozak will remain a part-time player at the NHL level while he continues to impress in the AHL.