Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens has been talked about often in the rumor mill this season. This only continued to be the case in NHL insider Elliotte Friedman’s latest 32 Thoughts column.
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Friedman noted that the Sabres are continuing to get calls about Cozens and added that the young center is “legitimately wanted” around the NHL.
However, Friedman also stressed that there would be a massive risk in the Sabres parting ways with Cozens:
“This would terrify me if I were the Sabres, vultures circling overhead while player and team struggle. Right-shot centre, 23 years old, two years removed from a 30-goal season. He’s also signed for five more seasons at a $7.1M AAV, helping his value. I would be very, very careful with this because he’s legitimately wanted.”
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It is easy to understand why Cozens is generating interest around the NHL. While he has had a tough season, he is still in his early 20s and has produced like a star. His 31 goals and 68 points during the 2022-23 season effectively demonstrate this.
However, Friedman is correct that parting ways with Cozens would be taking a big gamble. If he not only bounced back but also hit a new level with a new team, it would hurt a Sabres club looking to take that next step. The Sabres have also been burned by trading away their top players in the past.
It will be fascinating to see if anything comes from this high level of interest in Cozens from here.
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