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

[Dirty Dog]

Some comically petty Sabres and Senators fans in this thread!

 

[SensFactor]

Game 2 prognosis

Cozen is a big body who hounds the puck and has average soft skills. That's a valuable NHLer, and imo one who can score big goals.

I don't think his hockey iq is that bad, honestly just seems a player who couldn't handle the pressure of what they needed from him in Buffalo and his headspace was in bad place as a result.

Hes better than what was advertised 1g, 1a in 2 games. Big hits, some good chances to score and plays a two way game. Early excitement but lets see how he does..

 

[Senscore]

Some comically petty Sabres and Senators fans in this thread!

I don't know where the sabres fans might be coming from, but I don't think there's a Sens fan who doesn't wish Josh success unless he's playing directly against us.

While a lot of us maybe hoped for more regarding his play he's always come across as a very mature and thoughtful person. Genuinely wish him the best.

Re: Cozens I think we're just happy to see that he's contributing quickly.

 

[Chainshot]

Still think Cozens makes an excellent F1 forecheckers (mentioned it earlier in this thread) - his physical tools , the body length, the good speed, the willingness to put his body into a play to win possession - that isn't necessarily the easiest thing to create as a center. He does better work along the walls. He tries and if he was on RW, I think it would've taken so much of the weight off of him in Buffalo but they kept trying to run him out there as the "responsible one" on his line with no veteran help... not hard to see how his confidence would flag. He has always been someone who wears his heart on his sleeve - the fresh start should be great for him to restart without old expectations. Finding some confidence to build on and making sure to cover for what have been his weaknesses thus far should continue to get value out of the kid. Still think he's more of a RW than a C though.

 

[RyCam]

I don't know where the sabres fans might be coming from, but I don't think there's a Sens fan who doesn't wish Josh success unless he's playing directly against us.

While a lot of us maybe hoped for more regarding his play he's always come across as a very mature and thoughtful person. Genuinely wish him the best.

Re: Cozens I think we're just happy to see that he's contributing quickly.

I too hope Josh rips it up with the Sabres, he's an infinitely likeable guy and was a great Senator while he was here, I always had more confidence in our team with him in the lineup.

I've also been very happy with Cozen's play and contribution so far, already made a positive impact in both of the games he has played with the Sens.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

I too hope Josh rips it up with the Sabres, he's an infinitely likeable guy and was a great Senator while he was here, I always had more confidence in our team with him in the lineup.

I've also been very happy with Cozen's play and contribution so far, already made a positive impact in both of the games he has played with the Sens.

Players who have improved/looked better after leaving Buffalo: Rodrigues, Bogosian, Reinhart, Montour, Eichel, Vesey, McCabe, Ristolainen
Players who have looked worse: Girgensons. Arguably Mittlestadt, but I think he’ll bounce back now.

Point is, the odds are in your favor. Glad he’s had a good start.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Norris with the primary (actually only) assist on Thompson’s GWG tonight.

A really nice apple too.

 

[Coffee]

Norris with the primary (actually only) assist on Thompson’s GWG tonight.

Was a great pass

 

[Dubi Doo]

Hes better than what was advertised 1g, 1a in 2 games. Big hits, some good chances to score and plays a two way game. Early excitement but lets see how he does..

The hockey IQ has never really been there. I'd be surprised if it sticks, but weirder things have happened, and he did come from Buffalo, so who knows how much that negatively impacted him, haha.

He's a physically gifted winger, imo. Just hope he doesn't square up with someone outside his weight class because he's been neutered in the past after a slick ass whooping.

Norris actually looks the part of a C, which is nice. Buffalo desperately needed a top-6 C, and Norris can be that if healthy. If healthy is the big thing, obviously. Here's to hoping they both can be solid players for their respective teams.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Think it was a good deal for both club. Cozens wasnt good at center and sabres got a player that plays center as they allready had so many wingers and Cozens didnt play that good so he was like a 3 line Winger instead of a top 6 center. Ottawa got a player with high ceiling and if it works there maybe he can be a number 2 center . Hopefully it does and it make sense as he is from canada.

Hopefully his plays continues, its easy when your motivated in your new club. I think norris suits sabres better if he can stay Healthy.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

I think if Ottawa have bad luck they end of with no second center at all and just a winger .

 

[SlapJack]

I sincerely hope this works out for both teams, and last night was really great to see both players in on the goal to win the game in the 3rd period.

We've both suffered enough. I miss the days when both teams were contenders and battling to get out of the East with some very memorable playoff series along the way.

 

[Barsky]

No my point is that the WJC is a pretty poor barometer for ceiling. There is very little equivalency between WJC performances and NHL careers.

Sorry, that's just incorrect if you look at the odds, but of course there will always be outliers, the most egregious of them being Hodgson, who you of course highlighted

 

[TageGod]

Players who have improved/looked better after leaving Buffalo: Rodrigues, Bogosian, Reinhart, Montour, Eichel, Vesey, McCabe, Ristolainen
Players who have looked worse: Girgensons. Arguably Mittlestadt, but I think he’ll bounce back now.

Point is, the odds are in your favor. Glad he’s had a good start.

False on the two bolded. Bogo couldn't stay healthy. Eichel did not get better when he left, odd take. Dude was our entire team since the tank.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Still think Cozens makes an excellent F1 forecheckers (mentioned it earlier in this thread) - his physical tools , the body length, the good speed, the willingness to put his body into a play to win possession - that isn't necessarily the easiest thing to create as a center. He does better work along the walls. He tries and if he was on RW, I think it would've taken so much of the weight off of him in Buffalo but they kept trying to run him out there as the "responsible one" on his line with no veteran help... not hard to see how his confidence would flag. He has always been someone who wears his heart on his sleeve - the fresh start should be great for him to restart without old expectations. Finding some confidence to build on and making sure to cover for what have been his weaknesses thus far should continue to get value out of the kid. Still think he's more of a RW than a C though.

I expect this to be a very real consideration long-term. It will depend on Pinto and Greig’s continued progression, but in a perfect world, with the pieces they have right now, I would think an “ideal” top 9 two years from now could look like:

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Cozens
X - Pinto - Batherson
X - Greig - Zetterlund

11ish mil, that currently goes to Perron, Giroux and Amadio (all currently in our top 9) + cap gains will fill those holes, with an extreme outside shot at us filling them internally. I’d also look to re-sign Amadio if the price is right and wouldnt be against playing him in the top 9.

If Cozens sticks at C, on the other hand, Greig shifts to middle 6 LW and Zetterlund is likely bumped into the top 6, which I am fine with as well given the talent that would be around him. In that case, Amadio being retained for the top 9 would be a bit more likely.

 

[Djp]

My thoughts on Cozens

The issues with Cozens are

1. Is he a 45 or so per season or is he a 65 or so per season player,?

2. Is he a center or a wing ??

3. H pi w much of what's going on iij s mental/ in his head? A part bbn of this us responsibility and leadership? Does he want to be one of those top 3-5 people reporters go to or does he not want spotlight on him,,?


The big concern was being a center. If they had long term doubts you trade him for one which is what buffalo did.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

So it turns out that the "Hockey trade" Sabres fans were looking for was to get the glass man who's put up 60 points in his last 100 games?

Ottawa took the dub, here.

 

[tsujimoto74]

So it turns out that the "Hockey trade" Sabres fans were looking for was to get the glass man who's put up 60 points in his last 100 games?

Ottawa took the dub, here.

Cozens has 56 points in his last 102 games, so if 60 in 100 is no good…

That said, I have little doubt Cozens can carve out a nice career for himself as a complementary winger (fast, long reach, understands how to forecheck/attack the puck carrier, and has enough skill to keep up with top 6 play-drivers), but his strengths and weaknesses make him totally ill-suited to the center position, and he was one of the top culprits on a Sabres team that has struggled mightily to get defensive commitment from its forwards.

Norris is 100% an upgrade at the role Cozens was being asked to play for Buffalo if he can stay healthy.

 

[GCK]

It’s funny how both fanbases think the player they moved on from were better suited to play wing.

From a Sens fan perspective, I’m thrilled by Cozens’ zone entries. Defensively he needs some coaching.

I think both fanbases will be pleased with this trade.

 

[Zman5778]

It’s funny how both fanbases think the player they moved on from were better suited to play wing.

From a Sens fan perspective, I’m thrilled by Cozens’ zone entries. Defensively he needs some coaching.

I think both fanbases will be pleased with this trade.

The one thing I've noticed about Norris so far is his defensive IQ. Always seems to be in the right position in the defensive zone. I don't think he's as good defensively as McLeod or Greenway, but he's not far off.

I do not think that Norris and Tage have made a real good combination (yet?), and Norris seems to be deferring to Tage a bit too much offensively. If Quinn wasn't playing like absolute ass, I'd say that he and Norris might make for a good duo.

 

[SixthSens]

Still think Cozens makes an excellent F1 forecheckers (mentioned it earlier in this thread) - his physical tools , the body length, the good speed, the willingness to put his body into a play to win possession - that isn't necessarily the easiest thing to create as a center. He does better work along the walls. He tries and if he was on RW, I think it would've taken so much of the weight off of him in Buffalo but they kept trying to run him out there as the "responsible one" on his line with no veteran help... not hard to see how his confidence would flag. He has always been someone who wears his heart on his sleeve - the fresh start should be great for him to restart without old expectations. Finding some confidence to build on and making sure to cover for what have been his weaknesses thus far should continue to get value out of the kid. Still think he's more of a RW than a C though.

This is where I think Cozens will find success in Ottawa- guys like Brady, Greig, etc going to battle in the dirty areas will rub off on him.

Hope Norris’ health holds up and he has much success in Buffalo (except against us )!

 

[Chainshot]

This is where I think Cozens will find success in Ottawa- guys like Brady, Greig, etc going to battle in the dirty areas will rub off on him.

Hope Norris’ health holds up and he has much success in Buffalo (except against us )!

I don't think it's a matter of rubbing off on him, he already has that. It's that most centers are tasked with being the deep guy in their own zone too and that is a place to look at either having a winger cover the center assignment (and some W's can) or simply shuffling him to the wing.