Confirmed with Link: [BUF/OTT] Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and 2026 2nd for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker

[GrierIsGod123]

In having time to marinate a bit....does it feel like we just got a slight upgrade on McLeod on a much worse contract?

Am I way off here?

Don't agree with this completely ... at least in terms of playstyle, at least how I understand Norris' game. He's a shoot first center with tons of speed, good on draws and solid in all facets. Honestly, in a lot of ways he's what people think Cozens should've been, when healthy.

I'd say McLeod is more of a prototypical 3C with a lot of those same abilities but is certainly not a shooter or offensive creator. More of just a solid all around hockey player.

Personally, I'd have preferred someone that is more of a playmaking C with some of these same abilities. This team is dying for a "pass first" guy in a team full of shooters down the middle (Tage, Kulich, Norris). From what I understand of Ostlund's game, he's more a playmaker so hopefully he can add that at some point.

 

[Chainshot]

In having time to marinate a bit....does it feel like we just got a slight upgrade on McLeod on a much worse contract?

Am I way off here?

Don't see it. More like John Tucker in terms of raw totals and that he can't stay healthy but an offensive talent.

 

[Tatanka]

Don't agree with this completely ... at least in terms of playstyle, at least how I understand Norris' game. He's a shoot first center with tons of speed, good on draws and solid in all facets. Honestly, in a lot of ways he's what people think Cozens should've been, when healthy.

I'd say McLeod is more of a prototypical 3C with a lot of those same abilities but is certainly not a shooter or offensive creator. More of just a solid all around hockey player.

Personally, I'd have preferred someone that is more of a playmaking C with some of these same abilities. This team is dying for a "pass first" guy in a team full of shooters down the middle (Tage, Kulich, Norris). From what I understand of Ostlund's game, he's more a playmaker so hopefully he can add that at some point.

Hmmm...sounds am awful lot like another C we have who is shoot first and can't play a full schedule. Hopefully Norris isn't as effing stupid as the other one.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

All in all, it's hard for me to be upset about this deal. I'm a well known Cozens hater and apologize for my ranting in the GDT's for years. Really, I was never a huge believer in him and then grew to despise his game. He almost had me convinced during the first half of his breakout year, but as the games got tighter/more important in the second half he dried up like a raisin, while Mitts elevated. That momentum continued into the next year and on through today with Cozens. The dude just doesn't have it between the ears and seemed to play too nervously when it mattered. It's likely he was rushed into the NHL and put into the Center position out of desperation when it was clear he's not a NHL top 6 C.

He never found his game, even when provided with every chance in the world. He had top PP, good linemates and "easy" ice time and still couldn't be relied on to produce, especially in big matchups. You know damn well teams were focusing on Tage's line and this guy simply couldn't capitalize and would fumble/bumble his way through most games. He'd occasionally make a decent play that led to a goal, but he'd often give it right back on the other end and having most shifts spent chasing the other team around.

I tend to enjoy players that have hockey sense as I've also ranted many times. This team is severely lacking in that department, especially in the top 6. But getting rid of the worst offender in that regard, is a good start to changing the culture here. I don't have the scouting on Norris' hockey sense but it seems his coaches have trusted him in all situations, which is hopefully a good sign. I think the door is still open for an EP40 trade at the draft to get the high IQ / playmaker role filled ... but like the looks of today's C group a bit better. They can use some mixture of McLeod, Tage, Kulich and Norris to fill the top 9 C spine. Getting a net negative player away from this team can only be a good thing in my eyes. It's a real boon sending said bad player to a division rival.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Hmmm...sounds am awful lot like another C we have who is shoot first and can't play a full schedule. Hopefully Norris isn't as effing stupid as the other one.

Tage? I think Norris is more of a true C than him, especially all around. But yeah, a playmaker is what this roster is screaming for. Unfortunately they don't have good playmaking wingers either, so a lot of shooters. I suppose that is why keeping a guy like Zucker that is good in the paint is not a bad idea.

 

[dasaybz]

Cozens completely lost his edge when he got his face caved in and I don't think he'll ever recover no matter what team he's on. His toughness and willingness to stick up for his teammates was a big reason he got that big contract and now that part of his game is gone. Him being alpha was a massive part of his game now he's just regular.

 

[Dubi Doo]

It's a bit sad hearing the insights Adams had about Cozens consistently wanting to perform better and being broken up when heard of the trade. I grew to despise him a bit, but he was given the short end of the stick here, and i think we as fans sometimes forget that a player struggling probably eats away at them way more than it eats away at us. It'd be cool if this trade works out for both players.

 

[Tatanka]

Tage? I think Norris is more of a true C than him, especially all around. But yeah, a playmaker is what this roster is screaming for. Unfortunately they don't have good playmaking wingers either, so a lot of shooters. I suppose that is why keeping a guy like Zucker that is good in the paint is not a bad idea.

That kinda is the point. Why are they doubling down on a style and player type when it landed them rock bottom in the East....the whole idea needs to be re-examined

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Don't see it. More like John Tucker in terms of raw totals and that he can't stay healthy but an offensive talent.

not only a John Tucker mention, but a player comp...from Chain!?

 

[Chainshot]

not only a John Tucker mention, but a player comp...from Chain!?

Not a true comp - Tucker was slow but had miraculously good hands and a solid brain for the game. Norris is a much better skater and more of a heavy shot than nifty.

 

[michaelsaas]

People smart than me - is there a chance that Norris isn't continually hampered by injuries? Could it be something he overcomes/fluke injuries in the past? Or did we just trade for a better Bogosian?

 

[Dahlicious]

People smart than me - is there a chance that Norris isn't continually hampered by injuries? Could it be something he overcomes/fluke injuries in the past? Or did we just trade for a better Bogosian?

It's impossible to know.

 

[Chainshot]

Cozens has always worn his heart on his sleeve. He's someone who could use his own sports psychologist to get him back on track.

 

[Dahlicious]

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Don't see it. More like John Tucker in terms of raw totals and that he can't stay healthy but an offensive talent.

Yea but will Josh Norris ever be traded for himself?

 

[jc17]

In having time to marinate a bit....does it feel like we just got a slight upgrade on McLeod on a much worse contract?

Am I way off here?

Don't think you're way off.

Two centers with heavy defensive usage , speedy, and not necessarily top line offensive talent. The finishing and physicality I guess are the big differences


I do think we aren't going to love this contract and that people are going to be disappointed by the impact when he's not scoring

I think Norris' effectiveness is going to rely a lot on his teammates. Small sample size of course but I just watched a little bit of some old games and was underwhelmed.

It seemed to me a lot of his offensive game at 5v5 was camping out in front of the net. Not a bad tendency to have but going to want more than that. His vision with the puck didn't seem great, kind of get why the assist numbers are low. Most concerning thing is in the little I watched he had a surprising amount of Cozens-esque giveaways, and also ended up on the ice a lot. Definitely heavy on d zone starts so like McLeod maybe we see more production with balanced deployment

Defensively seemed more aware and engaged but occasionally chasing the play like Krebs. Like there would be effort but it wouldn't necessarily disrupt the opposition

I've always valued 5v5 play more but our special teams are so bad his reputation on the pk and pp cant be overlooked
And the way sens fans feel he's a true 2C is reassuring. Guess they've seen a lot more than I have

Idk, I'm excited for change but I was hoping to come away more excited from watching him

 

[slip]

I assume Norris slots in at right flank on PP1 which creates a tantalizing shooting option when teams attempt to smother Thompson.

I hope he stays healthy, and I hope Cozens regains his confidence in Ottawa.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

It's a bit sad hearing the insights Adams had about Cozens consistently wanting to perform better and being broken up when heard of the trade. I grew to despise him a bit, but he was given the short end of the stick here, and i think we as fans sometimes forget that a player struggling probably eats away at them way more than it eats away at us. It'd be cool if this trade works out for both players.

I can see that happening...truly. I have a hard time seeing Cozens be worse than he was for us the last two years. I think he'll settle into a 50-55 point guys and maybe sniff 20-25 goals in a good shooting year. He may end up meshing well with Tkachuk and having some comfort with a player like that on his wing.

That said, you can't fix stupid as they say. He's not suddenly going to become a heady player. He doesn't see the game like the better players in the league do. The game certainly doesn't slow down for him, if anything he's constantly in fight or flight mode out there. If he can calm that internal clock down just a little, it'll make a big difference. He simply wasn't able to do that here, especially when we were in games where playoffs were in view.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Don't think you're way off.

Two centers with heavy defensive usage , speedy, and not necessarily top line offensive talent. The finishing and physicality I guess are the big differences


I do think we aren't going to love this contract and that people are going to be disappointed by the impact when he's not scoring

I think Norris' effectiveness is going to rely a lot on his teammates. Small sample size of course but I just watched a little bit of some old games and was underwhelmed.

It seemed to me a lot of his offensive game at 5v5 was camping out in front of the net. Not a bad tendency to have but going to want more than that. His vision with the puck didn't seem great, kind of get why the assist numbers are low. Most concerning thing is in the little I watched he had a surprising amount of Cozens-esque giveaways, and also ended up on the ice a lot. Definitely heavy on d zone starts so like McLeod maybe we see more production with balanced deployment

Defensively seemed more aware and engaged but occasionally chasing the play like Krebs. Like there would be effort but it wouldn't necessarily disrupt the opposition

I've always valued 5v5 play more but our special teams are so bad his reputation on the pk and pp cant be overlooked
And the way sens fans feel he's a true 2C is reassuring. Guess they've seen a lot more than I have

Idk, I'm excited for change but I was hoping to come away more excited from watching him

Yeah, I think they need to carefully choose which wingers they put with him. I'm almost wondering if you put Zucker back with Kulich and Thompson and put Peterka and Quinn with him. I just have a feeling those two would relish the opportunity to play with someone that is NOT Dylan Cozens. Tuch would also make some sense or Benson even.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

That kinda is the point. Why are they doubling down on a style and player type when it landed them rock bottom in the East....the whole idea needs to be re-examined

I get it ... this is certainly not an ideal target from many perspectives. I don't know if Norris can play wing too but maybe their eventual move will be to have him on wing with some of the young playmakers in the middle (Ostlund/Helenius). Those guys are still a few years out from being NHL regulars IMO.

 

[jc17]

Yeah, I think they need to carefully choose which wingers they put with him. I'm almost wondering if you put Zucker back with Kulich and Thompson and put Peterka and Quinn with him. I just have a feeling those two would relish the opportunity to play with someone that is NOT Dylan Cozens. Tuch would also make some sense or Benson even.

I was kind of thinking Benson -norris - tuch

Three of them bring some physicality, tuch and Benson can maybe put work in on the wall if he's net front. How many times did we see Benson pass to no one in the crease because guys couldn't commit to going to the net? I'm interested to know what they've got planned

 

[Dirty Dog]

That kinda is the point. Why are they doubling down on a style and player type when it landed them rock bottom in the East....the whole idea needs to be re-examined

What in the world do people think cozens was going to get? He is a winger that is playing horrible on a huge contract. Any player we were getting back was going to be an equally high risk player. I’m glad our risk is regarding health with Norris, rather than him to stop sucking

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

Norris averages 31 goals per 82 games. Cozens averages 19. Not crying over Cozens he had one good season. Bye.

 

[slip]

What in the world do people think cozens was going to get? He is a winger that is playing horrible on a huge contract. Any player we were getting back was going to be an equally high risk player. I’m glad our risk is regarding health with Norris, rather than him to stop sucking

Given the tremendous amount of interest shown by many NHL teams, there was reason to think the return could have been more robust. Norris is interesting but the injury thing is definitely a major cause for concern. But yeah much of that interest was probably teams looking to pry a talented young player out of Buffalo for a song and a dance.

 

[gallagt01]

Is JBD anything? I really don't know much of anything about him. RD is good.