Prospect Info: Dylan Cozens, C/RW, 2019 7th overall, Lethbridge (WHL) --- Signed to ELC

[old kummelweck]

You can’t logically arrive at the reverse conclusion.

This is all probability, and you’re arguing for the position that should be significantly less likely...because....it’s fun to be contrarian I guess?

I'm not arguing the reverse position at all. I just stating the path he took is the only evidence we have, and the path he didn't take is evidence of nothing.

 

[Chainshot]

Can we all agree that if he shows that he’s ready in training camp and in preseason games that he stays and if he isn’t he goes back? It seems sort of like a basic concept.

 

[Gabrielor]

Can we all agree that if he shows that he’s ready in training camp and in preseason games that he stays and if he isn’t he goes back? It seems sort of like a basic concept.

Hahaha.

Actually, I can’t, because I largely disagree with what this organization’s definition of ‘ready’ has been.

Grigorenko was ready. Zadorov was ready. Thompson was ready. Mitts was ready.

By those above, then yeah, Cozens is 3C next year flanked by veterans sheary and Okposo. Mitts is probably ready for 75% dzs, right?

 

[Dingo44]

Hahaha.

Actually, I can’t, because I largely disagree with what this organization’s definition of ‘ready’ has been.

Grigorenko was ready. Zadorov was ready. Thompson was ready. Mitts was ready.

By those above, then yeah, Cozens is 3C next year flanked by veterans sheary and Okposo. Mitts is probably ready for 75% dzs, right?

So, we can't agree on anything. Oh well.

 

[MayDay]

So, we can't agree on anything. Oh well.

I thought that was the official motto of HFBoards.

 

[Matt Ress]

I'd feel a little empty if we didn't have this discussion in June.

It will be interesting to see how his game translates early on.

Rhino didn't tear up the W when he was sent back but looked like he actually got good advice on what to work on. It was a little concerning at the time but turned into a good investment in time.

I can't say for sure either way yet on Cozens but that's what makes prospects fun.

 

[MayDay]

Rhino didn't tear up the W when he was sent back but looked like he actually got good advice on what to work on. It was a little concerning at the time but turned into a good investment in time. I can't say for sure either way yet but that's what makes prospects fun.

IIRC, Reinhart's #1 mandate from Sabres' brass when he was sent back to junior was to bulk up and add strength. From that perspective, I think his stats and results on the ice that season was pretty much a secondary consideration compared to what he was doing in the weight room.

 

[Matt Ress]

IIRC, Reinhart's #1 mandate from Sabres' brass when he was sent back to junior was to bulk up and add strength. From that perspective, I think his stats and results on the ice that season was pretty much a secondary consideration compared to what he was doing in the weight room.

Yeah you're right and I think most of us realized that but this IS HFBoards...

Cozens has a new set of warts...how will he handle the speed, will his mental tools translate...
I have no issue with a 9 game tryout if he looks effective in preseason.

 

[Chainshot]

Hahaha.

Actually, I can’t, because I largely disagree with what this organization’s definition of ‘ready’ has been.

Grigorenko was ready. Zadorov was ready. Thompson was ready. Mitts was ready.

By those above, then yeah, Cozens is 3C next year flanked by veterans sheary and Okposo. Mitts is probably ready for 75% dzs, right?

At least in the case of Thompson and Middlestat, they did play a development year after being drafted. Even if we separate previous regime is from the current resume, they did allow them to go back to their D plus one at a lower level.

 

[old kummelweck]

I know agents prep these kids on how to talk to the media, but this kid really shows a lot of maturity with the questions he gets. I listened to the Instigators segment, and he answered every question right about his future, where he wants to play, where he thought he should get picked, etc.

 

[OkimLom]

I'd feel a little empty if we didn't have this discussion in June.

It will be interesting to see how his game translates early on.

Rhino didn't tear up the W when he was sent back but looked like he actually got good advice on what to work on. It was a little concerning at the time but turned into a good investment in time.

I can't say for sure either way yet on Cozens but that's what makes prospects fun.

Reinhart Posted a 1.36 PPG clip (65 points in 47 games) (8th PPG in the league overall) and turned around their season.

You're not going to hurt Cozen's development keeping in Juniors. There may be a lot of in-house straightening up that needs to take place before we start rushing players here.
_______________________________________________________________________
IMO, until we see how well our coaching staff can develop/improve players at the NHL level, I wouldn't want to rush ANY player to the NHL level. At least with Taylor, we have seen him improve/develop players well. But I don't think he can play in the AHL yet (please correct me if I'm wrong). Worst case scenario, you give him 9 games and send him down, though I think competent people should be able to make that call prior to the season.

If you're going to preach patience and development and want to build from within, at least follow through with it.

 

[Buffaloed]

I hope they slow cook him but this really doesn’t make any sense. There could be countless players who were kept down and didn’t pan out who MAY have had better careers if they were brought up sooner. Just as players who were brought up soon MAY have been better off being slow cooked. The list doesn’t exist because you don’t remember the guys who don’t pan out in the minors.

Slow cooking them in the NHL might be the best path. They have access to the best training facilities, nutrition guidance, and coaching. The idea that a player has to be in 75+ games per season to develop is a North American notion. Is Cozens likely to get bigger and stronger playing 40-50 games and practicing with the Sabres while under the close eye of the training staff at the Harborcenter or by playing a grueling WHL and international schedule? If the Sabres did that with Cozens, there would be a PR problem, fans and media would be constantly complaining why he isn't playing more, his junior team would lose a big draw, and he might not be released for international play (see Jay McKee). It would also use a roster spot, and most significantly would burn a year of his contract. You send the player down if he's not ready to play a regular shift because you don't want to alienate the feeder leagues or have the player become an UFA a year sooner. Joe Thornton was slow cooked in the NHL. It didn't ruin him. But a lot of people weren't happy to see him sitting.

 

[Chainshot]

Slow cooking them in the NHL might be the best path. They have access to the best training facilities, nutrition guidance, and coaching. The idea that a player has to be in 75+ games per season to develop is a North American notion. Is Cozens likely to get bigger and stronger playing 40-50 games and practicing with the Sabres while under the close eye of the training staff at the Harborcenter or by playing a grueling WHL and international schedule? If the Sabres did that with Cozens, there would be a PR problem, fans and media would be constantly complaining why he isn't playing more, his junior team would lose a big draw, and he might not be released for international play (see Jay McKee). It would also use a roster spot, and most significantly would burn a year of his contract. You send the player down if he's not ready to play a regular shift because you don't want to alienate the feeder leagues or have the player become an UFA a year sooner. Joe Thornton was slow cooked in the NHL. It didn't ruin him. But a lot of people weren't happy to see him sitting.

A lot of it is practice time. NHL teams spend very little time on the ice doing drills relative to other, lower level leagues. While the nutrition and training end of things is valid, the lack of experience and repetition in drills and practice is a factor.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Can we all agree that if he shows that he’s ready in training camp and in preseason games that he stays and if he isn’t he goes back? It seems sort of like a basic concept.

Not if he shackled to the wing, I dont want him getting comfortable on the wing like what happened to Reinhart and now he doesnt want to play center.

 

[Chainshot]

Not if he shackled to the wing, I dont want him getting comfortable on the wing like what happened to Reinhart and now he doesnt want to play center.

There are plenty of perfectly good NHL centers who broke in at a young age on the wing.

 

[Sabre the Win]

There are plenty of perfectly good NHL centers who broke in at a young age on the wing.

Using other teams development paths as a key for success with the Sabres does not compute, other teams can grow gardens, the Sabres grow weeds.

 

[Chainshot]

Using other teams development paths as a key for success with the Sabres does not compute, other teams can grow gardens, the Sabres grow weeds.

Well, doing it the way they've done it far too often in the last 7 years, under this ownership group, has rushed a bunch of players into the NHL who then didn't reach their projected ceilings and in some cases, didn't come close.

I'd rather they try to be conservative in places where being conservative seems to make a difference (development time) and not in places where it doesn't (possession evaluation vs. "eye test").

 

[Kublakhan]

One thing I learned about this kid today is he has no issues being away from home and traveling by himself..

 

[OkimLom]

Using other teams development paths as a key for success with the Sabres does not compute, other teams can grow gardens, the Sabres grow weeds.

See Derek Roy

 

[Chainshot]

06-25 Sabres 2019 1st-round pick Dylan Cozens with the Instigators

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Am I the only one who thinks Cozens looks a bit like Paul from “The Wonder Years”? (for those old enough to remember that show...)

 

[Jim Carr's Rug]

Slow cooking them in the NHL might be the best path. They have access to the best training facilities, nutrition guidance, and coaching. The idea that a player has to be in 75+ games per season to develop is a North American notion. Is Cozens likely to get bigger and stronger playing 40-50 games and practicing with the Sabres while under the close eye of the training staff at the Harborcenter or by playing a grueling WHL and international schedule? If the Sabres did that with Cozens, there would be a PR problem, fans and media would be constantly complaining why he isn't playing more, his junior team would lose a big draw, and he might not be released for international play (see Jay McKee). It would also use a roster spot, and most significantly would burn a year of his contract. You send the player down if he's not ready to play a regular shift because you don't want to alienate the feeder leagues or have the player become an UFA a year sooner. Joe Thornton was slow cooked in the NHL. It didn't ruin him. But a lot of people weren't happy to see him sitting.

Keep in mind, there is potentially a big difference in slow cooking a youngster on a good NHL/pro team and slow cooking the kid on the Buffalo Sabres of recent years.

Slow cooking over a tire fire ain’t good for nobody.

 

[Paxon]

See Derek Roy

What about him?

Am I the only one who thinks Cozens looks a bit like Paul from “The Wonder Years”? (for those old enough to remember that show...)

Not a deadringer but I definitely see it now

 

[Matt Ress]

06-25 Sabres 2019 1st-round pick Dylan Cozens with the Instigators

Seems like a good kid and definitely a player you want to root for.

 

[Fearnot]

"He's perfect, this team has needed a number one center for a long time and now I think they have it."
The full Ralph Krueger interview.