It wouldn’t surprise me if Tyson Kozak became the Sabres next fan favorite. But before I go any further, I’d like to answer a burning question: What is a fan favorite, anyway? For me, it’s a player who doesn’t see a ton of ice time and sees even less on-ice glory. But for one reason or another, the fans love them.
Kozak checks all the boxes, and he gave us more hope than, say, Beck Malenstyn. He’s gritty, yet has a rather quiet demeanor. He won’t put up many points, but when he does, it’s often done in spectacular fashion. Kozak’s performance this past season was just that, and it’s something we’ll see more of should he earn more reps in a blue and gold sweater.
Grade: C-plus - Kozak notched five points and three goals in 21 games, with a minus-2 rating and a 27.3 shooting percentage. He could’ve done more to stick up for teammates, but that will come with time. Ditto for the fact he will, at some point, transform into the sledgehammer we know he can be.
Tyson Kozak’s 2024-25 season wasn’t forgettable despite limited ice time
When players skate onto the big club’s ice for just 21 games, it’s easy to lose them in the mix. But this wasn’t the case with Kozak, who scored in just his second game. That one was memorable enough, He also had four points in a three-game span between March 23rd and March 27th, adding to his “legend,” before appearing in three more games.
He landed at least one body check per game, and that number will grow exponentially if the Sabres keep calling him up. He’s a lower liner, and probably a career fourth liner, but that’s not bad, considering he was a late-round pick. And Kozak showed his potential in all three zones as he received more opportunities.
For such a player, you couldn’t have asked for a better 21-game sample size, and his tenacious approach should energize what’s been a bland KeyBank Center over the past two seasons since the Sabres near-playoff run in 2022-23. Teams need players like that.
How much more ice time will Tyson Kozak see in 2025-26?
Tyson Kozak will likely hit part-time status again in 2025-26, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s present for at least half the games, if he can stay healthy. This could mean he’ll be the 13th or 14th forward who will spend half his time in the press box, but he’ll make his presence on the ice known when he’s given a shot.
As for production, he’ll end up with between 10 and 15 points, with about five goals and five assists. He’s got a better chance of racking up 80-plus hits and further earning his respect that way as opposed to productivity. But as the Sabres proved this past season, they already got players who can rack up the points.
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