Several Teams Calling Sabres Regarding Dylan Cozens’ Availability Via Trade
Interest surrounding Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens has continued to grow in recent weeks, making the 23-year-old centre one of the sport’s most highly coveted players ahead of the March 7th trade deadline.
To this point, the Sabres brass haven’t been actively shopping Cozens in trade discussions, as TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this week. However, since they sit last in the East, featuring a 22-26-5 record and 49 points, management hasn’t been turning teams away when they’ve inquired about his services.
Roughly two-thirds of the league have expressed varying levels of interest in the seventh-overall selection from 2019, according to LeBrun. Those include the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, both of whom have reportedly been seeking to add a young centre to their respective cores.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens are other clubs that have contacted Buffalo’s front office about Cozens.
Cozens signed a seven-year, $49.7-million contract extension with the Sabres in February 2023, carrying a $7.1 million average annual value (AAV). Two years later, he could be next to join the long list of talented skaters – headlined by former captain Jack Eichel – who couldn’t make it work in Buffalo.
The Whitehorse, Yukon, native’s contract doesn’t feature any trade protections until the 2027-28 season, which will introduce a modified no-trade clause. As such, he’ll be able to block a trade to five clubs over the final three years of his deal.
In an ideal world, the Sabres would undoubtedly prefer to avoid trading Cozens, who has the potential to lead their franchise back to a competitive state in future seasons. However, concerns surrounding his offensive production and the organization’s need for a massive spark could ultimately necessitate a blockbuster deal.
The 6-foot-3 forward enjoyed a breakout performance in 2022-23, posting career-highs in goals (31), points (68) and games played (81) while averaging 16:30 per night. But he’s struggled to replicate that success since then despite earning additional ice time.
Last season, Cozens logged 17:14 per contest across 79 games but couldn’t tally more than 18 goals and 47 points. In 53 games this season, he’s averaged a career-high 17:24 in ice time, posting a measly 10 goals and 26 points thus far.
Still, any team would jump at the opportunity to acquire a former 30-goal centre who won’t turn 25 until next year – hence the immense trade interest he’s already accumulated.
With one month until the trade deadline arrives, the Sabres will likely aim to take advantage of the tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference, hoping to benefit from what’ll likely be a seller’s market for the few teams across the NHL already out of the mix.
In addition to fielding offers on Cozens, odds are Buffalo will also listen to calls on pending unrestricted free agents such as forwards Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway, who hasn’t played since undergoing an undisclosed procedure in December, and defenceman Henri Jokiharju.
Goaltender James Reimer, also a pending UFA, could be another potential trade candidate if an inexpensive backup netminder need arises. He’s only played nine games since being claimed off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks but owns an affordable $1 million cap hit.
Outside of rental pieces, forward Alex Tuch – who has 18 goals and 40 points in 53 games this season – could also potentially be on the move. He’s in the sixth season of a seven-year, $33.25-million contract that includes a $4.75 million cap hit. His deal does feature a five-team no-trade list however.
Needless to say, it’ll likely be a busy few weeks for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and his staff leading up to next month’s trade deadline.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @Hall_Thomas_
Photo: Jenn G. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.