Speculation: Armchair GM 2024-25 Season, Craig Conroy's Can Do Calgary Flames

[Sparky93]

At best? We acquired Lindholm at essentially the same age and he had a career high of 45 points before that. Monahan hit 60 points 3 times sure but he was also riding shotgun to Johnny, he was never the play driver on that line.

I think with Cozens we are looking at a player much more in line with Mark Scheifele or Roope Hintz

It's really hard to say, at that age. Ryan Johansen perhaps?

 

[Sonk]

I remember when McKinnon was an enigma too after his first few years. Good player, nothing special. Then the team improved and he skyrocketed.

People were at one point saying he was a bust

I get the sentiment, but the comparison isn’t accurate. MacKinnon was billed as “the next Crosby” as a prospect and a generational pick. Not to mention he was trending relatively steady or slightly up in per game production (aside from his rookie year), whereas Cozens has been trending mainly downward. A Lindholm comparison seems more apt based on talent, draft position, pedigree, etc.

Mackinnon’s drive and competitiveness is also incredibly well documented. He’s on another level.

I’d be alright pursuing Cozens, but it would be as a high-end 2C option rather than a fixture at 1C.

 

[Volica]

Not to mention he was trending relatively steady or slightly up in per game production

His first four years in the NHL he averaged 51.5 points a season and only missed 28 games total over that span (for an average of 75 games a season).

The MacKinnon 'is this guy not as good as we thought he was' debate was a real thing.

 

[HighLifeMan]

At best? We acquired Lindholm at essentially the same age and he had a career high of 45 points before that. Monahan hit 60 points 3 times sure but he was also riding shotgun to Johnny, he was never the play driver on that line.

I think with Cozens we are looking at a player much more in line with Mark Scheifele or Roope Hintz

Cozen's has shown little to no "play driving" ability either though. He's never finished higher than 5th on his own team in scoring.

I certainly think a change of scenery would be beneficial for the player, and that he will become a good player but nothing to me suggests he's a difference maker by himself. To me he absolutely falls in line with the likes of a Monahan / Lindholm type player whom many were unhappy with at times here as they have more complimentary skillsets.

 

[Figgy44]

His first four years in the NHL he averaged 51.5 points a season and only missed 28 games total over that span (for an average of 75 games a season).

The MacKinnon 'is this guy not as good as we thought he was' debate was a real thing.

That's different than the comment of Mack being "a good player, nothing special". Remember when Monahan was right up there with Mack for total points and perhaps was above Mack in career points? Quite a few Flames fans IIRC were still like, "I'd add to Monahan to get Mack, no doubt". Same thing with Barkov. Yes, Mack/Barkov was struggling at first, but it was obvious there was a calibre difference between a Mack/Barkov to a Monahan.

Monahan's most frequent direct comparisons by us IIRC were Johansen, Lindholm and Horvat. Earlier was Mack and Barkov due to the points he was putting up for that draft class, but once those guys took off, I think we immediately knew they were on a different/higher tier than Monahan.

It's really hard to say, at that age. Ryan Johansen perhaps?

RyJo is a good comparison as a worst case scenario perhaps. But reaching the level of apathy and drop off as RyJo might basically require Cozens to intentionally crater his own career IMO.

 

[Rubi]

Despite what others believe, I still think Cozens legit ceiling is the 2C position. Now that's not saying that on certain teams he won't get the opportunity to play center on the top line but I don't think any honest ranking will say he absolutely belongs there.
I also don't think he's an upgrade over Kadri and Zary. If it takes trading Andersson to get Cozens I say forget it. I would rather trade Andersson at the 2025 draft in order to improve our first round draft pick placing.