Rumor: LeBrun: Flames Remain Interested in Cozens

[FriendlyGhost92]

Seems like a lot of teams are interested in buying low, but I don't think Buffalo's ready and willing to sell low on Cozens.

Nor should they, honestly. But they can't expect anybody to pay for the Cozens of two years ago, either.

 

[Zirakzigil]

I don't imagine it is that high of an interest. Flames just got Frost.

Flames only have 1 right shot winger and no centres. Its been a big issue on faceoffs, especially on the penalty kill.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

They say that about rural areas I always thought it was a myth though

 

[Leafshater67]

If I’m the Sabres, I’m doing everything I can do to get Rasmus Andersson. A solid top 4 RD is a massive need of theirs. They could move Byram, Cozens or both for the right package.

 

[madmike77]

I can’t see the Flames being all that interested. Certainly not so interested that they’d part with Andersson as part of the deal. Their top 3 C spots are now taken by Kadri, Backlund and Frost. And I don’t see Cozens as a 4C.

I’m sure they’d like a righty centre, but not at a high price.

 

[Fjordy]

I can’t see the Flames being all that interested. Certainly not so interested that they’d part with Andersson as part of the deal. Their top 3 C spots are now taken by Kadri, Backlund and Frost. And I don’t see Cozens as a 4C.

I’m sure they’d like a righty centre, but not at a high price.

Maybe they look at him as a RW, he did better there than in the center.

 

[waitin425]

What do Buffalo fans value Cozens at? I realize he has shown flashes in the past but 47 points last year and pacing around the same this year for a 7 million plus guy is a little underwhelming. There is risk associated with this player. I would take the risk myself, but what is the risk tolerance of Buffalo ownership and fans and at what point will they make a panic move before his value drops (or climbs)?

 

[HuGort]

Flames only have 1 right shot winger and no centres. Its been a big issue on faceoffs, especially on the penalty kill.

I heard Flames recently called about Dach. That's probably why

 

[Jimmybarndoor2]

I heard Flames recently called about Dach. That's probably why

Dach is where Calgary should go

 

[TageGod]

The ones we want are not available according to rumors.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I think Buffalo should keep Cozens sink or swim.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Sharangovich.

For cozens? LOL

 

[BHawk21]

What does Buffalo even want/need?

 

[Romang67]

Calgary isnt going to give up one of their up and coming players for a player who has digressed the past two years. Last year Cozens scored 18 goals and 47 pts. This year he's on pace to score 16 and 41. Sabres fans, as usual, are over valuing their players.

I feel like you went off topic there for a moment.

 

[CowbellConray]

What do Buffalo fans value Cozens at? I realize he has shown flashes in the past but 47 points last year and pacing around the same this year for a 7 million plus guy is a little underwhelming. There is risk associated with this player. I would take the risk myself, but what is the risk tolerance of Buffalo ownership and fans and at what point will they make a panic move before his value drops (or climbs)?

I think in terms of pick value, I'd consider moving him for a mid first (picks 11-18). Cozens has shown the capability of a good top 6 winger (maybe Center, but winger for sure). That's what I would put a mid first at in a decent draft. So a one for one in that pure value range.

Where the Sabres are, I'd like for them to add roster talent, not trade for picks. So Cozens would be in that mold of a player for player trade. I'd want a middle six center who is younger, or a top 4 D who is prime aged (26-29). That's what I would feel comfortable with as a Sabres fan

 

[waitin425]

I think in terms of pick value, I'd consider moving him for a mid first (picks 11-18). Cozens has shown the capability of a good top 6 winger (maybe Center, but winger for sure). That's what I would put a mid first at in a decent draft. So a one for one in that pure value range.

So...Habs or Calgary 1st would be your 1 for 1 pick range. Absolutely done deal from this Habs fan if that was your meaning.

Where the Sabres are, I'd like for them to add roster talent, not trade for picks. So Cozens would be in that mold of a player for player trade. I'd want a middle six center who is younger, or a top 4 D who is prime aged (26-29). That's what I would feel comfortable with as a Sabres fan

A Dach for Cozens swap doesn't really make sense. The other pieces we have that fit this category are...Evans (if you consider him a #3C) and Matheson (slightly outside of you 26-29 range). Guhle would also fit as a top 4 but he is also outside of your target range age wise - and Habs can't afford to lose him.

So what if we went for a deal around Evans?

Evans (#3C) + worse of Habs 1st rounders (likely 11-18) + Mailloux.

I've overshot what you stated above to keep other Buffalo fans off my back.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

What do Buffalo fans value Cozens at? I realize he has shown flashes in the past but 47 points last year and pacing around the same this year for a 7 million plus guy is a little underwhelming. There is risk associated with this player. I would take the risk myself, but what is the risk tolerance of Buffalo ownership and fans and at what point will they make a panic move before his value drops (or climbs)?

I think Buffalo fans still think Cozens can be a useful player over the length of his contract. He has size and speed and has shown the ability to play well at C over the course of a full season, even though he wasn't great defensively that year.

It's hard to understand what is going on with him, because he hasn't been playing with the same fire we saw from him when he first came into the league. Some think hockey IQ is the problem, but I think it's more about confidence. He just seems tentative to me. Like he's thinking too much.

I do think he will figure it out though. The question is whether that's at C or W.

The Sabres have not done him any favors by playing him at C with tough matchups and usually with 2 other kids on his wings. He has looked better with vets like Tuch next to him, and has at times looked better at W, but not dramatically so.

Sabres fans are willing to trade him in a hockey trade simply because something needs to be changed, but I wouldn't call it desperation to ship him out. If we weren't dealing with a long playoff drought, I think there'd be a lot more patience to let him develop and it would eventually work out.

 

[TageGod]

I think Buffalo fans still think Cozens can be a useful player over the length of his contract. He has size and speed and has shown the ability to play well at C over the course of a full season, even though he wasn't great defensively that year.

It's hard to understand what is going on with him, because he hasn't been playing with the same fire we saw from him when he first came into the league. Some think hockey IQ is the problem, but I think it's more about confidence. He just seems tentative to me. Like he's thinking too much.

I do think he will figure it out though. The question is whether that's at C or W.

The Sabres have not done him any favors by playing him at C with tough matchups and usually with 2 other kids on his wings. He has looked better with vets like Tuch next to him, and has at times looked better at W, but not dramatically so.

Sabres fans are willing to trade him in a hockey trade simply because something needs to be changed, but I wouldn't call it desperation to ship him out. If we weren't dealing with a long playoff drought, I think there'd be a lot more patience to let him develop and it would eventually work out.

Need a true top 6C so if he is not in the trade for one, he can be a winger, which is where he belongs.

 

[Volica]

Dach is where Calgary should go

I think Calgary would give Dach a really long look.
That said, I don't think Montreal would want to trade him for likely what Calgary's going to offer. They're only a couple seasons removed from paying a top 15 pick for him, and Calgary won't be touching a first rounder for his services.

 

[Zman5778]

What does Buffalo even want/need?

Legit top 6 player, preferably center. RHD capable of playing in the top 4 (ie, playing with Power or Dahlin).

In an ideal world, Cozens is used as part of a package with some of our desireable parts to upgrade.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Legit top 6 player, preferably center. RHD capable of playing in the top 4 (ie, playing with Power or Dahlin).

In an ideal world, Cozens is used as part of a package with some of our desireable parts to upgrade.

I think your right

Though wonder what team has legit top 6 centers to spare that would need Cozens and have the cap structure to take him on?

 

[Zman5778]

Though wonder what team has legit top 6 centers to spare that would need Cozens and have the cap structure to take him on?

Yup. That's the catch. That's why something around Cozens (obviously with major plusses) for EP40 made some sense before Vancouver smartly traded JTM instead of EP40.

I suppose there's a world where Kadri waives to come to Buffalo, and then Buffalo deals with the pain as that contract/player ages. I don't see Kadri wanting to come here though.

Nashville was rumored to be big-time in on Cozens, and ROR would make a ton of sense for us......but the hangup there should be obvious.

Beyond that, we'd need to look at someone similar to Cozens -- a guy that needs a change of scenery.

 

[boltsfan86]

As others have said, something would have to give between the players Calgary does not want to deal and Buffalo's assumed lack of interest in more draft picks. Don't really see the fit here/think other teams who are more desperate for Cozens would have more to cough up. If the rumor that Zegras is on the block has any truth to it, I could see a package of him and another young player to Buffalo possibly working.

Yup. That's the catch. That's why something around Cozens (obviously with major plusses) for EP40 made some sense before Vancouver smartly traded JTM instead of EP40.

I suppose there's a world where Kadri waives to come to Buffalo, and then Buffalo deals with the pain as that contract/player ages. I don't see Kadri wanting to come here though.

Nashville was rumored to be big-time in on Cozens, and ROR would make a ton of sense for us......but the hangup there should be obvious.

Beyond that, we'd need to look at someone similar to Cozens -- a guy that needs a change of scenery.

Sounds like Trevor Zegras and some other Anaheim prospects might be a solid fit, then. Dude just looks like he's done with Anaheim and he's had a rough year. But definitely has a lot of upside, and the Ducks have plenty of intriguing young players that they could add to the deal

 

[StrompTroller]

I feel like you went off topic there for a moment.

I'm not allowed to like comments until March because apparently I'm to funny or something but you sir are also a delight!

 

[BKarchitect]

Why would Buffalo trade Cozens for Dach, another big bodied center the same age who is better at wing, has never had a year as good as Cozen’s best year and is infinitely more injury prone.

It solves none of Buffalo’s problems.