If anything, the Sabres still have a dynamic forward to cheer for in Tage Thompson after he recently set a new NHL record. Tage, along with Jason Zucker, Alex Tuch, and Rasmus Dahlin, are a few reasons why the Blue and Gold don’t need to give up on the season just yet if they don’t want to.
Given their current position in the Eastern Conference though, selling looks like the only option reserved for this team as the March trade deadline approaches. But what if the Sabres pulled off a swap with a heated division rival that would work in the best interest for both suitors?
Yeah, in case you haven’t heard, the Detroit Red Wings may be interested in center Dylan Cozens, and it would be a huge relief for Kevyn Adams and Company to just admit the mistake that was when they signed him to an extension two years back. In foresight, it looked like a good move, but overall, it was shortsighted.
Cozens hasn’t lived up to expectations since he inked that deal, something the Sabres should have been more cautious with as he’d only enjoyed a good half-season when they extended him. Yeah, talk about rushed, right? Anyway, if the Sabres made Cozens Detroit’s problem, that’s a win-win for the Blue and Gold.
Sabres would still get dynamic compensation for Dylan Cozens
Okay, maybe it’s farfetched to claim Cozens would be the Red Wings problem because we all know what a change of scenery can do. Jason Zucker, for example, underperformed last year, but he’s since been one of the more pleasant surprises for the Sabres so far in 2024-25.
That said, giving Cozens a fresh start in Hockeytown would bode well for the still-young center. But the question is, who should the Sabres get in return to complete this wheeling and dealing? Hannah Kirkell of Sporting News said, “Risk aside, Cozens wouldn’t come cheap. He’s scored 31 goals before, and his game isn’t lacking defensively. I’d bet that he couldn’t be had for less than a first-rounder, a solid NHL roster player, and a high-end prospect.”
The key word is ‘and.’ For me, it means the Sabres would get another first-rounder, which they seemingly can’t get enough of. Chances are, it also means you can expect them to get someone like, oh, I dunno, Axel Sandin-Pelikka? Yeah, I would take him in about two seconds. As for the “roster player,” Andrew Copp OR Michael Rasmussen would complete this deal.
Overall, the Blue and Gold would be much better off should Steve Yzerman overpay for Cozens. Or, as I said, overpay now, but there’s a chance Cozens fits with Todd McLellan’s system, and the Sabres would get another dynamic blueliner and a serviceable center.