Player Discussion Dylan Cozens

[BondraTime]

I just find it interesting that there seems to be some differences of opinion on the subject. I thought Cozens had more upside myself, but Corrado I guess either is higher on Norris or lower on Cozens.

For what it's worth, I think Norris could be a very good fit in Buffalo, good two way player, could help their PP if he's used as the shooter (and he can find that one timer timing), and Buffalo is a more offensive minded team 5v5 than us.

Hopefully he gets started putting up some PP points tonight

It’s definitely got different takes. Having the 2nd coming to us is so incredibly strange to me. It’s nice to be on the other side of an idiot GM who is running out of runway.

Both games, the Flyers Broadcast and the Wings broadcast, spent a full minute or two calling Buffalo to the dirt saying that 30 GM’s are wondering what the hell Adams is thinking, likewise with Seravelli and co.

 

[Micklebot]

It’s definitely got different takes. Having the 2nd coming to us is so incredibly strange to me. It’s nice to be on the other side of an idiot GM who is running out of runway.

Both games, the Flyers Broadcast and the Wings broadcast, spent a full minute or two calling Buffalo to the dirt saying that 30 GM’s are wondering what the hell Adams is thinking, likewise with Seravelli and co.

I think there are a lot of people with zero confidence in Norris' shoulder. The trade makes more sense if you can get past that, but still has a bit of a Brassard for Zibanejad plus a 2nd feel to it, only Buffalo isn't in win now mode.

 

[PlayOn]

It's interesting, because I've heard a couple talking heads suggest Norris has more upside, but with the threat of the shoulder. I thin Corrado said as much this morning on tsn1200.

Ruff said he thinks Norris has 1C upside and Adams called Cozens a great 2C. So I wouldn’t be shocked if Buffalo thought Norris had higher upside too.

 

[Micklebot]

Ruff said he thinks Norris has 1C upside and Adams called Cozens a great 2C. So I wouldn’t be shocked if Buffalo thought Norris had higher upside too.

To be fair, Buffalo kind of has to sell the trade, might be a bit of damage control going on there.

I've always seen Norris as a bit of a bigger Turris, can be a good 1b but not a true #1.

 

[BondraTime]

Ruff said he thinks Norris has 1C upside and Adams called Cozens a great 2C. So I wouldn’t be shocked if Buffalo thought Norris had higher upside too.

That’s insane to me. That’s some unrealistic expectations.

Norris has been a 45-50 point guy who gets ~20 assists a season, and I don’t see much in the way of development

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I think this is exactly what the team needed. Shake the foundation a little and change the mix.

 

[Micklebot]

Norris has been a 45-50 point guy who gets ~20 assists a season

I mean, sure, coming off surgery both years.

Last year you could tell the shoulder wasn't really right. This year, it seems good, but his usage has been shifted significantly towards defensive deployment with 38% OZ starts, down from 53% last year. Tougher QOC numbers this year too.

What does he look like with a full healthy offseason, on a more offensive minded team?

 

[BondraTime]

I mean, sure, coming off surgery both years.

Last year you could tell the shoulder wasn't really right. This year, it seems good, but his usage has been shifted significantly towards defensive deployment with 38% OZ starts, down from 53% last year. Tougher QOC numbers this year too.

What does he look like with a full healthy offseason, on a more offensive minded team?

I think he’s going to look the same way, give or take, he has every year, outside the 16 PP goals in 66 game season that I can’t see happening again.

A 25/30g, 20/25 assist guy who plays every situation.

 

[PlayOn]

That’s insane to me. That’s some unrealistic expectations.

Norris has been a 45-50 point guy who gets ~20 assists a season, and I don’t see much in the way of development

He has more obviously elite tools than Cozens imo, like his skating and his shot. And he thinks the game really well. But I also think he has more glaring flaws. Not a lot of puck skill, sometimes I think he flashes better playmaking but not consistently, and imo his biggest issue is his ability to win puck battles. I don’t know how much of that is the shoulder/how much room there is for improvement there. But Norris at his best is a great player, he’s just not that guy consistently.

Cozens seems to do everything well, but nothing elite. Mind you I’ve watched Buffalo but never really paid attention to him so I’m basing this off of three games.

So I think Cozens is the safer bet to reach his upside but if Norris develops those areas I do think he’s the more intriguing player.

 

[BondraTime]

He has more obviously elite tools than Cozens imo, like his skating and his shot. And he thinks the game really well. But I also think he has more glaring flaws. Not a lot of puck skill, sometimes I think he flashes better playmaking but not consistently, and imo his biggest issue is his ability to win puck battles. I don’t know how much of that is the shoulder/how much room there is for improvement there. But Norris at his best is a great player, he’s just not that guy consistently.

Cozens seems to do everything well, but nothing elite. Mind you I’ve watched Buffalo but never really paid attention to him so I’m basing this off of three games.

So I think Cozens is the safer bet to reach his upside but if Norris develops those areas I do think he’s the more intriguing player.

I think the upside for Cozens is much, much higher than the upside on Norris. I think Norris’ value is that you know what you’re getting. A 50 point guy you can put out in any situation. Cozens has the higher potential, but it wasn’t being realized in Buffalo

I wouldn’t call Norris elite in any area, barring him getting his 1 timer back on the PP.

I don’t think you want a C in your top 6 who struggles to get 20 assists a year, Norris has averaged 23 per 82 games, and he’s almost assuredly going to miss a few weeks worth of games a year.

 

[Cosmix]

To be fair, Buffalo kind of has to sell the trade, might be a bit of damage control going on there.

I've always seen Norris as a bit of a bigger Turris, can be a good 1b but not a true #1.

I agree Norris does not look like a top end #1C.

 

[Cosmix]

I think this is exactly what the team needed. Shake the foundation a little and change the mix.

More changes are required to make this team a hard-to-play-against playoff team.

Given recent performances, I doubt that this team will get through the first round of playoffs and could very well go out in 4 or 5 games.

 

[NyQuil]

He has more obviously elite tools than Cozens imo, like his skating and his shot.

I keep hearing about Norris' shot being elite but when have we seen it that way lately?

As for his skating, Cozens is a fine skater. I don't see much of an edge here either.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

More changes are required to make this team a hard-to-play-against playoff team.

Given recent performances, I doubt that this team will get through the first round of playoffs and could very well go out in 4 or 5 games.

I think the personnel is there to make a little noise, just have to rise to the occasion. Whether or not they do remains to be seen.

Only real concern I have is Highmore and Gaudette being full time on the 4th line. Need Cousins back before the playoffs to at least bump out 1 of those guys hopefully.

 

[Cosmix]

I think the personnel is there to make a little noise, just have to rise to the occasion. Whether or not they do remains to be seen.

Only real concern I have is Highmore and Gaudette being full time on the 4th line. Need Cousins back before the playoffs to at least bump out 1 of those guys hopefully.

I think there are fair weather passengers on this team who do not play playoff style hockey.

 

[PlayOn]

I think the upside for Cozens is much, much higher than the upside on Norris. I think Norris’ value is that you know what you’re getting. A 50 point guy you can put out in any situation. Cozens has the higher potential, but it wasn’t being realized in Buffalo

I wouldn’t call Norris elite in any area, barring him getting his 1 timer back on the PP.

I don’t think you want a C in your top 6 who struggles to get 20 assists a year, Norris has averaged 23 per 82 games, and he’s almost assuredly going to miss a few weeks worth of games a year.

Well I agree with that part, and so along with all the injuries the trade makes a lot of sense for us. Cozens does fit more of a need because he can create more offence at this stage.

I keep hearing about Norris' shot being elite but when have we seen it that way lately?

As for his skating, Cozens is a fine skater. I don't see much of an edge here either.

Well Norris has said it’s his confidence, which I think underlines the whole conversation about upside. I know people think his shoulder limits him, but it might just be a mental hurdle to overcome. If his shoulder is legitimately severely limiting him this is a different conversation. His shooting % is a testament to his shot quality, so if you presume he learns to create more offense, he’s gonna score a shit ton of goals.

Also Cozens looks like a very good skater. Norris’ skating is a notch better as far as I’ve seen.

I think it’s probably unlikely that all of Norris’ flaws get sorted out, so I don’t actually think he is gonna end up better necessarily. I can just see where that thought comes from.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I think there are fair weather passengers on this team who do not play playoff style hockey.

Nobody really jumps out at me in that way, and I especially like how the top 9 is coming together, with essentially 10 top 9 forwards currently, but I think it's fair to say they are not a contender and those aren't my expectations this year.

People would have said a guy like Hoffman didn't play a playoff style game, but he was competent and his elite skill still shone through numerous times with clutch plays either down the stretch or in the playoffs.

 

[LiseL]

I am from and live in Whitehorse, so I'm stoked. We've done some business with him and I've played against his dad lots, so this feels pretty close to home in a way the NHL never has. So many texts and status updates about it already. Yukoners are pumped!

Maybe the Sens will get more fans from up north.