Player Discussion Dylan Cozens, C/RW, 2019 7th overall Part 2

[GrierIsGod123]

As much as I joke about his "stone hands", he's absolutely a player I want them to build around. His skating is elite, which might be more important anyway. His hands look better this year too, but it is me just poking fun and trolling a bit during games.

Thinking about him at 23-30 years old, he's going to be hugely important for the cup aspirations this organization will start having. That's why you lock him up for 8 years and know you have one of your homegrown lynch pins locked in and ready to go. He'll never be the type to get his contract and rest on his laurels, which seemed to be a problem with our previous core.

 

[Diaspora]

I heard someone compare the kid to Ryan Kesler pre-draft and I can't shake it, albeit a much skinnier version.

Speed, High motor, ultra competitive, leadership, intangibles, clutch. I love watching this kid play hockey.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the kid would murder a grizzly bear with his bare hands to get one in the win column for his team.

A decade of bruin-murdering sounds really good to me.

 

[Jim Bob]

How zone entries have fueled Dylan Cozens' breakout season for Sabres

His ability to change speeds has made him particularly difficult to defend.

theathletic.com

Another really good article from Fairburn. He is doing a great job in year 1 on the Sabres beat.

 

[Chainshot]

 

[sabresfan129103]

Some encouraging news. 7x7. Yes please.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

Some encouraging news. 7x7. Yes please.

Locking up our top 2 centers for 14M long term would give us copious amounts of cap flexibility. Yes please indeed.

 

[Genny Screamer]

Cozens strikes me as a dude that doesn’t play hockey for the money. Of course, he wants to get paid, but his money will probably go into a nice pickup truck, plot of land, etc so he can hunt and fish in the great white north. He is a standup guy that will sacrifice a little bit to help the team win. He does that both on the ice and off the ice. His parents raised a great kid.

 

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

Bucci just retweeted this. Seems like it's coming.

 

[Zach716]

Would love the 8th year but for that AAV you can’t even complain if it’s true

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Cozens strikes me as a dude that doesn’t play hockey for the money. Of course, he wants to get paid, but his money will probably go into a nice pickup truck, plot of land, etc so he can hunt and fish in the great white north. He is a standup guy that will sacrifice a little bit to help the team win. He does that both on the ice and off the ice. His parents raised a great kid.

I agree. Seems like most of the boys have that attitude to be honest. like the order of importance for the guys seems to be...

1.) Do I love my teammates? Yes
2.) Do I love playing in Buffalo? Yes
3.) Than figure out the money.

After Dahlins letter I wouldn't be shocked if he signs for only 9mil AAV to keep some meat on the bone for the rest of his teammates.

The overall vibe seems like the boys are team orientated>money driven.

 

[Zman5778]

Some encouraging news. 7x7. Yes please.

Just UNDER Tage's deal?

Yes. All of the yes. Amazing. Top 2 centers locked in for about $14M per year? Amazing.

 

[Chainshot]

Bucci just retweeted this. Seems like it's coming.

That deal would be amazing. Hell, under 8 would be amazing.

I agree. Seems like most of the boys have that attitude to be honest. like the order of importance for the guys seems to be...

1.) Do I love my teammates? Yes
2.) Do I love playing in Buffalo? Yes
3.) Than figure out the money.

After Dahlins letter I wouldn't be shocked if he signs for only 9mil AAV to keep some meat on the bone for the rest of his teammates.

The overall vibe seems like the boys are team orientated>money driven.

I've wondered if he might take a little less to keep the band together. If Cozens, one of his besties, comes in low after his partner came in low and his top center came in low...

 

[Fezzy126]

I love this kid and want him to be a Sabre for life, the the CBA wasn't a thing I'd give him the DiPietro contract right now.

Although if the speculation is true it's awesome that he could sign for what might be below market value.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Cozens at under Tage’s deal would be unreal.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Well TT’s deal bought mostly UFA years. 7 for Cozens is a lot of team control years.

I’d really prefer they get the 8th.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Well TT’s deal bought mostly UFA years. 7 for Cozens is a lot of team control years.

I’d really prefer they get the 8th.

Exactly…apples and oranges

 

[Ace]

Exactly…apples and oranges

Then compare apples to apples and see what players whose breakout happens under their ELC get. Because it’s MORE than Tage did. Guys are getting 8 per year in Cozens position. If he takes less than Tage the saving isn’t what he’s making less than Tage. It’s what hes making less than Josh Norris and the actual apples like him.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Then compare apples to apples and see what players whose breakout happens under their ELC get. Because it’s MORE than Tage did. Guys are getting 8 per year in Cozens position. If he takes less than Tage the saving isn’t what he’s making less than Tage. It’s what hes making less than Josh Norris and the actual apples like him.

Right, Tage deal isn’t apples or oranges…it’s a rare green pomegranate

 

[MarkusKetterer]

In NHL23, I re-signed him to an 8 x $5.2M contract. So for less than $13M per year they have the top 2 centres.

Yes I know it’s unrealistic.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Chainshot]

View attachment 646126

They're emigrating to Norway to go into curling, aren't they? Dahlin's better half also posted that they had arrived, so they are with them too.

 

[Ehran]

View attachment 646126

Shoot, I was just in Nassau 4 days ago. I could have let them buy me a few drinks.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Looks like Tages back is fine and Cozens smoked Dahls.

 

[Dingo44]

Looks like Tages back is fine and Cozens smoked Dahls.

 

[SECRET SQUIRREL]

View attachment 646126

I'm hoping that they already got a deal done and now they're just waiting for him to get back to Buffalo.
I was pretty pissed first couple years that we took him over Zegras but not anymore. I wouldn't even consider trading him straight up for Zegras.