Confirmed Trade: [OTT/BUF] Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and 2026 2nd round pick for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker

[ACLEVERNAME]

"Big Walt" himself went to the media during the 4 Nations tournament saying it was time the Sens to finally move forward and that it was up to management to 'give the boys some help.' This is it. We're a better team than yesterday. I completely understand the emotion from Brady losing a dear friend of his, but it's the business. This is the 'next step forward'. I expect the world from our Captain down this final stretch - time to put up or shut up.

 

[Satanphonehome]

I smacked Cozens earlier in the thread, but two things need to be made clear: he’s got excellent tools and he works his ass off.

During his breakthrough year he just played and he was a joy to watch: not the safest or smartest, but a wild stallion who played free.

What changed was the contract and the letter and the sense that he put fixing the Sabres on his shoulders. He started thinking too much and doing too much and worrying too much. And it quenched what made him good.

That player is still in there somewhere. It’s not really about low IQ, it’s about trying to play like something he’s not.

I like the kid and think he’s likely going to turn things around. I wish him the best - so long as he doesn’t make the Sabres look stupid(er) in the process.

 

[Zalos]

Interesting trade. Both of these players are question marks for me. They have the potential to be great, but they haven't gotten there yet consistently.

Hopefully they do end up helping both teams.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

if the cap wasn’t going up, I’d agree. But every team is about to get an influx of cap space in the next few years, so the 7M that Cozens carries isn’t going to be a big deal anyway, especially since Ottawa’s core pieces are already locked up.

This is like going out and running up a brand new credit card before you have the old one paid off. Teams that were smart with their cap room over the last couple of years can make out like bandits with a rising cap...teams that are in current cap trouble who try to do the same will never get out of the red.

 

[Chainshot]

I smacked Cozens earlier in the thread, but two things need to be made clear: he’s got excellent tools and he works his ass off.

During his breakthrough year he just played and he was a joy to watch: not the safest or smartest, but a wild stallion who played free.

What changed was the contract and the letter and the sense that he put fixing the Sabres on his shoulders. He started thinking too much and doing too much and worrying too much. And it quenched what made him good.

That player is still in there somewhere. It’s not really about low IQ, it’s about trying to play like something he’s not.

I like the kid and think he’s likely going to turn things around. I wish him the best - so long as he doesn’t make the Sabres look stupid(er) in the process.

Well said. I still maintain that it was his year end interview after that good season talking about how he and they wanted to get him to 40 goals that was derailing. He had been a productive 5-on-5 guy, good at transitioning the puck and gaining the zone and leaning into THAT gives more bang. Instead he's trying to force shots and over handle to get into positions closer to the net time after time and it just got into his head. While Granato gets some credit for unlocking someone like Thompson, his offense uber alles approach was not good for everyone, Cozens included. It'll be interesting to see if and when his confidence returns.

And the fighting thing that TSN leaned into... he's not good at it this year in particular. He lost to Kotkaniemi and before that lost a bought to known pugilist... Martin Fehervary with his one other fight in his career.

 

[Fatass]

Interesting trade. Both of these players are question marks for me. They have the potential to be great, but they haven't gotten there yet consistently.

Hopefully they do end up helping both teams.

Imo Norris has the higher ceiling. But he also has the bigger question mark - health. Norris, when healthy, is a 1C. Cozens, on a good club with centre depth, is a 2/3 C.
So to me if both guys play to their ceiling, Norris is the more impactful player.

 

[blingo22]

This trade is hard to assess right now. It seems pretty lateral. There are some confident fans on both sides claiming immediate victories, but I just see two big question marks. Can Norris stay healthy? Can Cozens reclaim some confidence and hockey IQ? This really could go either way.

 

[Djp]

if the cap wasn’t going up, I’d agree. But every team is about to get an influx of cap space in the next few years, so the 7M that Cozens carries isn’t going to be a big deal anyway, especially since Ottawa’s core pieces are already locked up.

I disagree.....

If you follow other sports salary cap structure, you will see over the years the avg Joe career players get squeezed out. The top players get the raises the young studs will get high salary bit the others will get squeezed. te as nd will go with young ELC vs paying $5M vet.

Money will go to your top 2 centers, 3C/ 1W, top 3 D, G

Wingers will be replaceable unless you are a Thachuk type or regular near 50g scorer

 

[DackellDuck]

On Cozens, it's important to note that he'll have much more insulation at C with the Senators than he did in Buffalo.

Stützle will continue getting the prime minutes against the other team's top D pairings.
Pinto will take on the key defensive assignments.
Cozens will get the softer matchups where he can hopefully generate some secondary offense.

It's a much different setup for him, and hopefully he can do well in that role.

What support at C did he have over his career in Buffalo? Mittlestadt? Kulich? Krebs? Girgensons? That's not much.

 

[Ezpz]

"Big Walt" himself went to the media during the 4 Nations tournament saying it was time the Sens to finally move forward and that it was up to management to 'give the boys some help.' This is it. We're a better team than yesterday. I completely understand the emotion from Brady losing a dear friend of his, but it's the business. This is the 'next step forward'. I expect the world from our Captain down this final stretch - time to put up or shut up.

I don't know if Cozens is better than Norris in any sense, but certainly adding Zetterlund tips you guys into being improved.

NHL Remaining Schedule Strength | Tankathon

Shows the remaining strength of schedule for NHL teams based on the points per game of the opponents left on their schedule.

www.tankathon.com

You guys do have one of the easiest schedules left while your biggest competition in the Rags has one of the hardest so it would be a pretty big choke to miss the playoffs. Detroit has the absolute hardest and are already fallen out. You're basically competing with a rebuilding Habs, and Columbus (also hard schedule remaining).

Boston sold. Pretty much everything is going in the Sens favour.

 

[LeProspector]

This is like going out and running up a brand new credit card before you have the old one paid off. Teams that were smart with their cap room over the last couple of years can make out like bandits with a rising cap...teams that are in current cap trouble who try to do the same will never get out of the red.

Norris was being paid 8M for those same years. They save cap and get younger.

 

[DackellDuck]

I don't know if Cozens is better than Norris in any sense

He produces much more at 5v5, which was our biggest weakness.

 

[zenator]

Honestly, this trade could go either way. It could be a win-win. It could be a lose-lose. Either team could win. It's a mystery.

Anyone that says team X clearly won, or player X sucks just shows how biased, immature, or dumb they are.

These are the best types of trades from an entertainment standpoint.

What we know now: Both players are currently overpaid, but Cozens regaining his form / development path and Norris staying healthy negates this. Norris' level of play is more predictable, he's a finished product (good 2-way 2nd line centre), and he is injury prone, one more big shoulder injury from being done. Cozens has taken a step back the last 2 years, and only looked in form when playing for Canada at the worlds. Is it the Buffalo effect? Can his confidence be regained, and get back on the development path? Norris is a much better special teams player. Cozens is a much better 5 on 5 point producer, even in his 2 regressing/stagnating years, he outproduced Norris handily 5 on 5. Norris is responsible, and an above-average defender (Pinto is the Sens shut-down centre). Cozens has to improve defensively, but he's in the right situation, under Green, Batherson, Tkachuk, and Stutzle have become much better defensively.

Will be fun to watch. And I will always like Josh Norris, hope he stays healthy.

One caveat that is good for the Sens (and has no impact on the Sabres), is that without the $ savings from going from Norris to Cozens, there would be no Zetterlund trade, which was a steal, I'm actually more excited about that deal, especially after watching Z's highlight package.

 

[SlapJack]

Imo Norris has the higher ceiling. But he also has the bigger question mark - health. Norris, when healthy, is a 1C. Cozens, on a good club with centre depth, is a 2/3 C.
So to me if both guys play to their ceiling, Norris is the more impactful player.

Norris is not really a 1C, certainly not on a good team. He's competent in that role, but can you imagine any opposing team needing to devise a game plan to neutralize Josh Norris? Doesn't have that creativity or elusiveness you need to set yourself apart from the pack. You don't notice him until the puck is in the back of the net.

That said, Cozens does have those 1C characteristics but Norris is a better overall player. Hopefully in Ottawa, Cozens will have the benefit of Stützle being the undisputed #1, with Pinto as the guy leaned on to play the hard minutes. Might be the only aspect of the trade I like is that Cozens is a different look from those 2, whereas Norris and Pinto were similar players.

As much as I don't like the trade...I do see how it could benefit both teams. Norris is smart and mature, Cozens adds a bit of flash

 

[SpezDispenser]

Imo Norris has the higher ceiling. But he also has the bigger question mark - health. Norris, when healthy, is a 1C. Cozens, on a good club with centre depth, is a 2/3 C.
So to me if both guys play to their ceiling, Norris is the more impactful player.

I agree about Norris, except he could never be a 1C because he just can't pass well enough. He's an excellent 2C though.

And Cozens I'd have with Chuck and Stu on the wing. It makes too much sense, so it likely won't happen.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Norris is better, but has been hurt more than he's played.

However, this season he has been durable, great on the draw and physical. Lacks some 5 on 5 production, though.

Cozens is bigger, hes a good player in his own right. Wicked shot and he's got some wheels.

Why TSN kept talking like Cozens was going to take the load off of Brady from fighting is bizarre.

Like a week ago Cozens lost to Kotkaniemi. He's a big boy who can hold people from getting at someone, but if they acquired him to bring that toughness, they misjudged and I'm pretty sure that's just TSN's terrible analysts.

Gilbert is the guy who can do that, but will he even play every game ? Or just swap with another dman should they play a team that is tougher ?

Sens got some draft capital to add to their prospect pool, or for more team acquisitions.

Too long; didn't read i like it for both teams and looks like a win-win right now

 

[Jimmybarndoor2]

What is Bernard-Docker. Any sparkle of a player? Or Ahl fodder?

 

[zenator]

I don't know if Cozens is better than Norris in any sense, but certainly adding Zetterlund tips you guys into being improved.

NHL Remaining Schedule Strength | Tankathon

Shows the remaining strength of schedule for NHL teams based on the points per game of the opponents left on their schedule.

www.tankathon.com

You guys do have one of the easiest schedules left while your biggest competition in the Rags has one of the hardest so it would be a pretty big choke to miss the playoffs. Detroit has the absolute hardest and are already fallen out. You're basically competing with a rebuilding Habs, and Columbus (also hard schedule remaining).

Boston sold. Pretty much everything is going in the Sens favour.

You could also see the Devils go into a tailspin with their best player (Hughes) out for the season. I hope they do, as I'd really like Columbus to grab the 3rd spot in the division. (nothing against Jersey)

 

[zenator]

What is Bernard-Docker. Any sparkle of a player? Or Ahl fodder?

I've always considered him to have low upside, as he isn't dynamic at all. He tops out as a 5 or 6 defenseman. Currently, he's a 7, but has shown steady but slow improvement. I think he'll play 600-700 games in the NHL, but won't be remembered much. Unfortunately for him, Matinpalo is better and has surpassed him, and the coach likes Hamonic better, even though JBD>Hamonic.

 

[GCK]

What is Bernard-Docker. Any sparkle of a player? Or Ahl fodder?

He’s a serviceable willing bottom pair D. He never got bigger/stronger after being drafted but he can play.

 

[Ezpz]

He produces much more at 5v5, which was our biggest weakness.

Is that an individual player attribute though, or a structural problem from coaching? It is a team game after all. Hate you guys but I'd rather see the Sens in the playoffs putting up a fight than Detroit or Columbus sneaking in and getting stomped.

 

[Beerz]

I just know players who leave Buffalo seem to turn it around and produce big time after departing.

Linus Ullmark
Sam Reinhart
Jack Eichel
Brandon Montour
Ryan O’Reilly

Then to a lesser degree, Rasmus Ristolainen.

You’re probably right though, it’s probably a little far fetched but an interesting trend for some former highly touted players nonetheless.

Cozens is a former highly touted player after all…..

This whole narrative is so dumb.

These players weren't struggling on a personal level in Buffalo. Team wise? Yes. But they were all good in Buffalo outside of Montour. And Montour popped off for one year in Florida and has since came back down to Earth. Montours struggles can probably be attributed to Buffalo using him on his off-hand.

Ryan O'Reilly time in Buffalo was consistent with his entire career except for one season in St Louis.

Eichel and Reinhart certainly didn't struggle here. Did they get better? Absolutely like most players do as they enter their prime.

Dumb narrative that was probably formed on Sabres HF Boards and Sabres Twitter.

 

[tsujimoto74]

On Cozens, it's important to note that he'll have much more insulation at C with the Senators than he did in Buffalo.

Stützle will continue getting the prime minutes against the other team's top D pairings.
Pinto will take on the key defensive assignments.
Cozens will get the softer matchups where he can hopefully generate some secondary offense.

It's a much different setup for him, and hopefully he can do well in that role.

What support at C did he have over his career in Buffalo? Mittlestadt? Kulich? Krebs? Girgensons? That's not much.

Thompson. McLeod this year as the match-up 3C. Cozens has been getting that easy minutes role with the Sabres, he just hasn’t been any good for the last 2 years.

You’ll probably be much happier with him if you make him a winger.

 

[Master P]

Hmmm
That sure is a neat looking blanket.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

This whole narrative is so dumb.

These players weren't struggling on a personal level in Buffalo. Team wise? Yes. But they were all good in Buffalo outside of Montour. And Montour popped off for one year in Florida and has since came back down to Earth. Montours struggles can probably be attributed to Buffalo using him on his off-hand.

Ryan O'Reilly time in Buffalo was consistent with his entire career except for one season in St Louis.

Eichel and Reinhart certainly didn't struggle here. Did they get better? Absolutely like most players do as they enter their prime.

Dumb narrative that was probably formed on Sabres HF Boards and Sabres Twitter.

Not to mention that several players have gotten better after coming to Buffalo. Byram found his game, Zucker found his game, Greenway, McLeod... all these guys have played better in Buffalo than they were playing when they were traded.

You might be wondering, "well if all those players are playing so good, why is the team in last place?"

That's because some of our key players have been really bad in their roles and have been counted on way too much.

Want to hear which guy represents this the most?