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

[Sabre Dance]

The fact so many fans and media in Buffalo hate a young player at age 21-22 so much says everything about where the organization is at. There is way too much pressure on these young kids to perform at high levels.

This is 100% the problem.

 

[GellMann]

Its our organization that sucks the life out of some players. It also doesn’t help when the fans and media are against you.

But there are like 8 guys I actively enjoy watching play on this team even right now.

Cozens was just a terrible player for 2 years running independent of what was going on with the team. When we won 3 in a row before the losing streak this year, he was still terrible up to that point. The roster hole we had at 2C because of him was a significant reason we are where we are.

I agree that this environment is toxic for young players, but in the business of analyzing what players bring to a team, what the sum of our parts is, and how that impacts the standings, Cozens was one of the biggest problems on the roster by far, and it was because of traits you could see in his highlight videos when he was drafted. His hands and his head do not work at NHL speed.

 

[Jimmybarndoor2]

Cozens will be a good player, don’t kid yourselves
He had a hard time adjusting to this years system

Let’s be honest, not sure it’s a good system. Is it too much thinking? Hockey players need to play at full speed not be slowed down by too much thinking

The best systems minimize the thinking to the key points not every detail

 

[rams]

Cozens was terrible for 2 seasons? The guy had 2 less points than Norris this season. What does that say about Norris who was on a better team?

 

[Fjordy]

Cozens was terrible for 2 seasons? The guy had 2 less points than Norris this season. What does that say about Norris who was on a better team?

Norris has had injury issues, and they're different players. And how long has Ottawa been a good team in recent years? It seems like it's only been this season.

 

[rams]

Norris has had injury issues, and they're different players. And how long has Ottawa been a good team in recent years? It seems like it's only been this season.

Yes, this year.
Although Buffalo has beat them 4-0 and 5-1... I do remember saying Buffalo's rebuild was 'ahead' of Ottawa. Wow, was I wrong!

 

[Fjordy]

Yes, this year.
Although Buffalo has beat them 4-0 and 5-1... I do remember saying Buffalo's rebuild was 'ahead' of Ottawa. Wow, was I wrong!

It doesn't matter how we beat them if they were better in the long run. And I said the opposite, Ottawa and Detroit would probably be better than Buffalo. The owner and GM are killing us.

 

[Panthaz89]

Its our organization that sucks the life out of some players. It also doesn’t help when the fans and media are against you.

I really don't understand how people don't see this....like we all see what happened when Thomspon got injured on an obviously dirty hit and no one the ice responded why the heck should any of our players start to care if no one is held accountable? Do they think the players are going to be alright with Power constantly just sitting there every time he is playing defense in front of the net by simply staring at people instead of legitimately trying to play defense? The same whiners will continue to whine against Benson when he realizes what's the point of playing hard when no one cares?

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Yes, this year.
Although Buffalo has beat them 4-0 and 5-1... I do remember saying Buffalo's rebuild was 'ahead' of Ottawa. Wow, was I wrong!

Keep riding that high of winning some games in a row. To think your team is SO far ahead is kinda funny, considering how close these teams have been over the last few seasons. Were we saying that two seasons ago when we were better than you? OTT has roster construction issues as well but has admittedly made some smart moves the last few years. I think with Tage/Norris/McLeod down the middle, we're in a similar spot to Stutzle/Cozens/Pinto now.

Cozens was literally the top reason (of many) that the Sabres have struggled for two years running. Anyone that has watched our team closely could see his struggles were palpable both offensively and defensively. He couldn't step up last year when the team really needed him, especially when Tage was injured or playing with a bad wrist. The reality is that we should've traded him for Byram, instead of Mittelstadt.

On top of that, the Sabres lacked depth for an operational third line (until acquiring McLeod) and had injuries to Tage Thompson that caused a trickle-down effect. This year we lost Dahlin for a long stretch and went on a 13 game losing streak. I'd imagine Ottawa losing Sanderson and/or Stutzle for a while would have caused a downturn. All I'm saying is that things have been rough here, but I still don't think OTT's rebuild is much ahead of Buffalo's. Things really broke your way this season and the Sabres have had just about everything go wrong, with Cozens' performance at the top of the list. Once the expectation was to make playoffs, dude fell flat on his face. It'll be interesting to see how he performs when the adrenaline wears off.

 

[truthbluth]

Trading Cozens was a really bad trade that the Sabres had to make. Not sure why we included a 2nd, but I suppose that's about JBD, who is very likely a significant upgrade on Gilbert. Cozens had to go. To the hightest bidder, which was clearly Ottawa, and he had to go now. They will lose this trade if Cozens regains his form, which he seems to have in the first 3 games. It doesn't change the fact that they HAD to make the trade.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

It doesn't matter how we beat them if they were better in the long run. And I said the opposite, Ottawa and Detroit would probably be better than Buffalo. The owner and GM are killing us.

I just have a hard time looking at OTT and DET and thinking they're much better than us or far ahead in their rebuilds. We've had just about everything go wrong this year in terms of development. Cozens not playing up to 2C (or 3C) level, Quinn regressing big-time, UPL having a shit year, Power staying status-quo for worse, no progression from Benson, etc.

Personally, I think if Dahlin stays healthy I think we're right there in the fight. Him getting hurt when he did really sank our season. Sure that doesn't speak well to our depth, but he's far and away our best player. Win even 5 or 6 of those 13 and we're still at least in it.

Things could easily swing back our way next year against both of these teams. We're all built fairly similarly, not having true superstars throughout the lineup, but each have lots of talented players. It's time to get rid of the passengers (like Cozens had become). Next year, they cannot go into the year relying on Quinn to be a top 6 forward for instance. Get rid of the Lafferty, Malenstyn, Krebs types and put real NHL'ers in those spots. Keep one of two around as depth. Weed out the Clifton and Samuelsson types.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

Trading Cozens was a really bad trade that the Sabres had to make. Not sure why we included a 2nd, but I suppose that's about JBD, who is very likely a significant upgrade on Gilbert. Cozens had to go. To the hightest bidder, which was clearly Ottawa, and he had to go now. They will lose this trade if Cozens regains his form, which he seems to have in the first 3 games. It doesn't change the fact that they HAD to make the trade.

I think you're underselling Norris a bit or overselling on Cozens. They're basically even in trade value by most any metric. Norris is clearly a more established centerman, in terms of what you want your center to be capable of. Neither of these guys are playdrivers per se, but Norris is a FAR better 2-way player which is something our top 6 has lacked for a long long time. He's also a much better shooter, so a better weapon added to our arsenal. Cozens was truly not really good/great at anything, so I'd rather have someone that excels in some areas of the ice to start building a real team.

I'm having a hard time seeing where Cozens is ahead of Norris to be honest. He might be a slightly better zone entry guy and mildly better passing ability, hard to say without more Norris viewings. That said, is Cozens really someone you want being a playmaker or goal scorer on your team? The data shows over his career, he's not really good at either.

The Sabres need to pair a playmaking center with a guy like Norris. Then you build your lines around those strengths. That will hopefully be found in the draft or via trade this offseason. Might be time to get EP40 ramped back up as that'd give you a real nice 1-2 punch of different player types. Or maybe you go all-in on Marner as the top line playmaker. Either way, the Sabres could use a top line talent capable of creative playmaking.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Trading Cozens was a really bad trade that the Sabres had to make. Not sure why we included a 2nd, but I suppose that's about JBD, who is very likely a significant upgrade on Gilbert. Cozens had to go. To the hightest bidder, which was clearly Ottawa, and he had to go now. They will lose this trade if Cozens regains his form, which he seems to have in the first 3 games. It doesn't change the fact that they HAD to make the trade.

Marek also made a good point today that the 2026 draft is looking pretty loaded as well. But alas.

@Chainshot

 

[Sun God Nika]

Trading Cozens was a really bad trade that the Sabres had to make. Not sure why we included a 2nd, but I suppose that's about JBD, who is very likely a significant upgrade on Gilbert. Cozens had to go. To the hightest bidder, which was clearly Ottawa, and he had to go now. They will lose this trade if Cozens regains his form, which he seems to have in the first 3 games. It doesn't change the fact that they HAD to make the trade.

JBD was waived and cleared a year and a half ago. Don't think his value is that high.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Well, that didn't last long on Norris
Dealing with a issue he had and being evaluated by Sabres per Ruff

JBD was at practice. not sure he will make the lineup for Vegas though

 

[Tatanka]

Trading Cozens was a really bad trade that the Sabres had to make. Not sure why we included a 2nd, but I suppose that's about JBD, who is very likely a significant upgrade on Gilbert. Cozens had to go. To the hightest bidder, which was clearly Ottawa, and he had to go now. They will lose this trade if Cozens regains his form, which he seems to have in the first 3 games. It doesn't change the fact that they HAD to make the trade.

No they really did not need to make the trade when they did. Nothing was going to change this year. It was another panic pr move like firing granato and hiring lindy without a true search. If Cozens was going to be moved it should have been after the season with more suitors in play and we should not not have added a second round pick in a deep class. I am not saying Cozens couldn’t be moved, but he was not a deadline deal. I would have moved both Greenway and Zucker. That is how the game is played. There will be other Greenway and Zuckers available in the off season. But if you take Zuckers 5 million base and add to it you can add a vet that will meaningfully tilt the ice. KA settled for the road too often traveled and it will make no difference.

 

[sabremike]

No they really did not need to make the trade when they did. Nothing was going to change this year. It was another panic pr move like firing granato and hiring lindy without a true search. If Cozens was going to be moved it should have been after the season with more suitors in play and we should not not have added a second round pick in a deep class. I am not saying Cozens couldn’t be moved, but he was not a deadline deal. I would have moved both Greenway and Zucker. That is how the game is played. There will be other Greenway and Zuckers available in the off season. But if you take Zuckers 5 million base and add to it you can add a vet that will meaningfully tilt the ice. KA settled for the road too often traveled and it will make no difference.

Lance pointed out how throwing in that 2nd showed just how desperate Adams was to do something. Someone said the Ottawa GM actually asked for Peterka as the throw-in (which I find hard to believe), but if he did it was brilliant because he set the ask absurdly high so he could "settle" for a 2026 2nd (supposed to be a very strong draft).

 

[Ehran]

If it ends up that KA traded Cozens, Gilbert, AND a 2nd round pick for an already injured Norris (who has an extensive injury history), this will go down as one of the most Sabre'est trades of all time.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

If it ends up that KA traded Cozens, Gilbert, AND a 2nd round pick for an already injured Norris (who has an extensive injury history), this will go down as one of the most Sabre'est trades of all time.

They should request the pick back from the league if so unless he signed off on it knowingly.

If the Sabres medical staff signed off on it it's another black mark on them.

 

[Fjordy]

Yeah, I was definitely wrong, another stupid trade from Adams, he should be fired, f***.

 

[Boud]

They should request the pick back from the league if so unless he signed off on it knowingly.

If the Sabres medical staff signed off on it it's another black mark on them.

Norris was out with a “mid-body injury” for 3-4 weeks and came back on March 1st. So basically he was injured one week before 4 Nations and then missed 2 games after 4 Nations. He came back but wasn’t 100% I assume.

This injury was public and I would be incredibly surprised if this wasn’t communicated to Adams. I don’t think it’s anything very serious and it’s definitely not his shoulders. Probably an ongoing nagging thing where he might’ve came back a bit early to help the Sens with a playoff push.

But yea… it’s definitely worrying seeing him potentially miss some time again. There always seems to be something he’s dealing with but I can pretty much guarantee it’s at least not a shoulder thing.

 

[HaNotsri]

Read up a bit more on Norris and he seems incredibly broken. Probably good center depth and a player type we needed but we need two guys that can really carry the load of the regular season and the top 6.

 

[Dubi Doo]

If anything, Ottawa is atleast pulling their heads out of their asses while we stick ours up further. Why Pegula would allow Adams to make any more moves is beyond me. We're screwed eitherway. I feel for Norris having to come to this shit show. Cozens has a new glow to him.

So, Im not feeling comfy about this trade at all, and I feel absolutely gutted regarding this team's future. Norris already dinged up is the terd on top of all this. Higher cap hit, and already battlimg injuries. Yeah, this one is going to blow up in our face. Doesn't really matter, though, as Pegula has lost all interest in making this franchise 'hockey heaven'.

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

This is a good trade if Norris can stay healthy. And it's already drifted into, but he can't.

Cozens had to go. Clearly he had already given up on the team based on the inspired play Ottawa is getting from him. The early returns are highly damaging to GMTP, Press Secretary Adams and Lindy. Cozens deep-down is a good player, so how/why did it get to a point where he gave up? Lack of inspiration or accountability in the organization.

This fish is rotten from the head and there is no player coming that can turn this around.

Keep digging that hole Terry.

 

[sabremike]

These two things are not mutually exclusive:

- Cozens probably needed to be moved because he was never going to figure it out here.

-There was no need to make a panic move at the trade deadline and by doing so they got very poor value in return.