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

[Jim Bob]

Wheeler: My 2021 world juniors all-star ballot, MVP pick, risers, and fallers

Dylan Cozens (Buffalo Sabres/Team Canada)

Cozens ascended in this event, consistently Canada’s best game-to-game player. As good as he is, that’s almost even more impressive given how much high-end talent was on the Canadian roster. He dominated camp, he dominated round robin, and he dominated the medal round until the gold-medal game. He took good lanes and won his races, he got to the inside with his speed on the puck in transition, and he consistently showcased dangerous offensive zone skills, including an improved shot. It was a tournament for the ages, save the silver medal.

 

[valet]

Dylan has a high floor for a prospect and will definitely be an NHL player in some capacity. Zegras just has that superstar potential that Cozens doesn’t have.

Depends on how you define 'superstar'. I don't think Zegras has that type of potential but he is definitely a flashier player than Cozens. Cozens will likely end up being a high end net front presence and 200ft guy that doesn't get all the credit he deserves. So what if he doesn't make cool moves with the puck on a regular basis? It's about the most vain way to evaluate a prospect.

 

[Buffaloed]

Depends on how you define 'superstar'. I don't think Zegras has that type of potential but he is definitely a flashier player than Cozens. Cozens will likely end up being a high end net front presence and 200ft guy that doesn't get all the credit he deserves. So what if he doesn't make cool moves with the puck on a regular basis? It's about the most vain way to evaluate a prospect.

So we got the Brendan Shanahan this time instead of Pierre Turgeon. It'll work out.

 

[joshjull]

Cozens has been more effective at wing, he may not end up being a center.

Maybe in the World juniors but he’s done his damage in the WHL at center. He’ll also start on wing in the NHL. But we won’t know if he can play center in the NHL for at least another year or so.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Maybe in the World juniors but he’s done his damage in the WHL at center. He’ll also start on wing in the NHL. But we won’t know if he can play center in the NHL for at least another year or so.

Cozens can be a really good RW or a really good Carter style center. I’m good with either.

 

[Buffaloed]

I'll be happy if Cozens and Quinn become legitimate top 6 forwards. It would be nice if they become stars, but if they become solid NHL top 6 players that's enough. The Sabres can't afford to whiff on these picks.

 

[FedorTyutin]

Do you guys think Cozens become a regular as soon as this year?

 

[Jim Bob]

Do you guys think Cozens become a regular as soon as this year?

I won't be shocked if he's a bottom 6 regular to start the season.

The fun part becomes what do they do after 9 games with all the WHL uncertainty thanks to the global pandemic.

 

[Matt Ress]

I won't be shocked if he's a bottom 6 regular to start the season.

The fun part becomes what do they do after 9 games with all the WHL uncertainty thanks to the global pandemic.

I think it's 6 games this year but I agree completely.

 

[jcbeze]

Starting with the Blue group eh?

 

[Jim Bob]

Yeah, so....

 

[jcbeze]

Yeah, so....

Probably to emphasize that nothing is a given. He'll have to earn the yellow jersey.

 

[Fjordy]

Controversial decision

 

[brian_griffin]

Controversial decision

Re: Cozens and Quinn?

Is this their first practice? When did they arrive in BUF? We have no idea what induction / on-boarding / testing / paperwork, logistics, etc., they needed to go through prior to first practice. All the other Sabres didn't take the ice their first day. For all we know, Friday group 2 is working them in ahead of schedule relative to the original reporting players.

 

[Jim Bob]

Ranking NHL's best under-23 stars: Dahlin, Pettersson or Lafreniere at No. 1?

Tier 4: Bubble of NHL all-star and top of lineup player
18. Dylan Cozens, C, Buffalo

Feb. 9, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 185 pounds

Previous ranking: No. 26

Skating: Above-average
Puck Skills: Below-average
Hockey Sense: Average
Compete: Average
Shot: Above-average

The remainder of that tier:

16. Kirby Dach, C, Chicago
17. Pierre-Luc Dubois, C, Columbus
19. Robert Thomas, C, St. Louis
20. Nico Hischier, C, New Jersey
21. Mikhail Sergachev, D, Tampa Bay
22. Barrett Hayton, C, Arizona
23. Connor McMichael, C, Washington

 

[Jim Bob]

Ranking the top 20 Calder Trophy candidates for the 2021 NHL season

6. Dylan Cozens, C/RW, 19 (Buffalo Sabres — 7th overall, 2019)

It’s wise not to read into a world juniors performance too much, but Cozens delivered a clear message: I’m ready. Now it sounds like he’ll get an opportunity to play in the top-nine and on the second power-play unit as a first-year player. There are a small number of rookies who get that kind of opportunity and he’s got enough skill to capitalize and be a contributor from the start. I don’t think his skill set is so high-end that he’s going to become a star player right away, but it’s definitely not hard to imagine him making an impact and being a nice addition to their forward group at right-wing, which should also help him use his speed off the puck and soften some of his defensive responsibilities.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

I was fine with the pick last year, and overall I'm still fine with it. Zegras looks like a dynamite prospect as well and while I preferred him overall, Cozens looks like a solid addition to this team.

 

[joshjull]

 

[Fjordy]

I hope he will be in the NHL, and not go to the WHL to play 24 games.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I hope he will be in the NHL, and not go to the WHL to play 24 games.

I’m good with him playing at the level he’s ready for

 

[Team Cozens]

Assuming this would eliminate the AHL option?
Personally after watching a comparable Kirby Dach play an entire season in the NHL and Cozens given an extended off season, there is zero reason to send him back. Especially when we consider this is one season of Eric Staal and what a huge mentorship opportunity for Dylan.

 

[jc17]

I’m good with him playing at the level he’s ready for

But if it did end up being only 24 games the nhl might be better.

Usually playing > not playing, but I think a full season practicing with nhl caliber players would outweigh playing 25 games in a much less competitive setting

 

[Ehran]

But if it did end up being only 24 games the nhl might be better.

Usually playing > not playing, but I think a full season practicing with nhl caliber players would outweigh playing 25 games in a much less competitive setting

But with the condensed season and games on average almost every other night, how much real practice will there be?

 

[joshjull]

But with the condensed season and games on average almost every other night, how much real practice will there be?

For the guys playing every night probably not a lot. But for the extras and Taxi squad probably a decent amount

 

[Havok89]

I’m good with him playing at the level he’s ready for

Not sure he’s ready for NHL until we get to see him in action, but I don’t think there’s any benefit to having him dominate smaller kids in the WHL at this point.

Even on the taxi squad he will get some NHL games in, along with training and practices with NHL players.

This could be the ideal season to ease him into the NHL, IMO.