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

[StlBigFly]

I think many will find that centers under 24

I’m still confused as to why a 2nd was attached to Cozens going to Ottawa.. I would have assumed the 2nd would have been attached to Norris due to his injury history and the fear with that. Plus also ive always found Cozens to be the better player and he’s 2 years younger.

Just a weird trade for buffalo… but honestly, it doesnt surprise me at all

I’d guess if you project out cozens trajectory there’s a bit of potentially painful uncertainty.

I’d consider cozens a really cool high grade project. I don’t spend a lot of time on the Sabres but my understanding is 2022-23 they made a dramatic systems adjustment. Cozens, and the rest of the group, seem to have struggled in that change. I feel they’re just hunting for skaters who fit where they think they need to be.

It’s a bit high stakes when you’re targeting a top 6 center role and he’s owed 30 mil. If you struggle to get to where you want to be you could really feel it for awhile.

Maybe the add of the second, just that general side of the deal needing something, was why the deal took so long. It does seem like an unbalanced deal. I could see why the Sabres would not initially jump.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

I’m still confused as to why a 2nd was attached to Cozens going to Ottawa.. I would have assumed the 2nd would have been attached to Norris due to his injury history and the fear with that. Plus also ive always found Cozens to be the better player and he’s 2 years younger.

Just a weird trade for buffalo… but honestly, it doesnt surprise me at all

I agree with you, but I would imagine the logic was that Norris is a finished product, while Cozens was more of a reclamation.

If you watched Norris this year, particularly up to the trade deadline, he had some games where he was spectacular. He is someone who they can put out there for 20 minutes a night in a wide variety of situations.

The reality is that a center like Norris doesn't get moved unless there are injuries or the player forces a trade.

I said this in a previous post, but this seems to me like Adams doesn't have to worry about how durable Norris will be long term because either whatever moves Adams makes now and in the offseason lead to the Sabres winning, or the issue with the shoulder of Norris will be a problem for a different GM to deal with, because Adams will be gone. This was a desperation trade by Adams to try and fix Buffalo down the middle.

 

[Macbanan]

Looking at the last goal Cozens scored, it was exactly the type of goal he tended to score in his 68 point season that got everyone's hopes up (and landed him his contract) . Just a complete snipe from that kind of medium distance where many shooters miss or fire it straight at the goalie's chest. He often skated a few meters in the offensive zone and just sniped it.

For us he eventually just started missing the net all the time and lost his confidence, stopped making great passes as well. He was obviously trying but wasn't "on" and not playing energetically. He absolutely could not drive a line and every time he pushed forward he made mistakes defensively. Started playing a truly dumb game and made terrible choices with the puck. Still was not moved to wing to lessen the mental load.

I'm not sure whether Cozens is an intelligent player who lost his confidence and was put in a difficult situation or just had bad hockey IQ to begin with. Either way, playing in Buffalo isn't exactly good for the type of young players who rely on confidence a lot, because here he was surrounded by mostly other low IQ players in a losing environment.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

It's doubtful that Cozins will play at a point per game pace, but he's looked very good so far. Super feisty, adds a bit more jam than Norris and has obviously been dangerous offensively. He's looking pretty good so far.

 

[SharkInABoloTie]

Cozens has 27 ES points

Norris has 18. He has 1 primary assist at even strength this year...

Make that 2

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

I agree with you, but I would imagine the logic was that Norris is a finished product, while Cozens was more of a reclamation.

If you watched Norris this year, particularly up to the trade deadline, he had some games where he was spectacular. He is someone who they can put out there for 20 minutes a night in a wide variety of situations.

The reality is that a center like Norris doesn't get moved unless there are injuries or the player forces a trade.

I said this in a previous post, but this seems to me like Adams doesn't have to worry about how durable Norris will be long term because either whatever moves Adams makes now and in the offseason lead to the Sabres winning, or the issue with the shoulder of Norris will be a problem for a different GM to deal with, because Adams will be gone. This was a desperation trade by Adams to try and fix Buffalo down the middle.

Its unlikely he ever really lives up to his contract either. He might if he stays healthy. But I think a more realistic level to expect out of him is 30 to 35 goals and 65 to 70 points.

Still very good numbers, but I doubt he will ever be the consistent point per game center the sens hoped he would become when they signed him.

Ottawa traded Norris for 2 big reasons. Injury risk and cap hit. Cozins while having a lower ceiling address both those concerns.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Make that 2

A f***ing beauty too.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Its unlikely he ever really lives up to his contract either. He might if he stays healthy. But I think a more realistic level to expect out of him is 30 to 35 goals and 65 to 70 points.

Still very good numbers, but I doubt he will ever be the consistent point per game center the sens hoped he would become when they signed him.

Ottawa traded Norris for 2 big reasons. Injury risk and cap hit. Cozins while having a lower ceiling address both those concerns.

In the current climate, I don't think he is that bad at 8M for a cap team who isn't concerned about real dollars. I think it's a rough contract for any small market team.

The issues for me would always be the liability from injuries. It's why I figured he would be difficult to get value for.

 

[ginomini]

I 100% agree.

Guys like Tim Stutzle, Connor Bédard, Thomas Chabot, Kirill Kaprizov, Zach Werenski, Filip Forsberg and Rasmus Dahlin are garbage.

I replied in a sarcastic way, but the point is that performances at the WJC are not a great indicator of NHL ceiling. You can't really argue for that. Obviously many great players have had great performances at the WJC, but just as many average or bellow average players did to.

The WJC is not an indication of anything, it's a 7-game sample.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

I replied in a sarcastic way, but the point is that performances at the WJC are not a great indicator of NHL ceiling. You can't really argue for that. Obviously many great players have had great performances at the WJC, but just as many average or bellow average players did to.

The WJC is not an indication of anything, it's a 7-game sample.

Not really though, and especially not amongst North Americans.

Cozens has the T-27th most points in WJC history and T-19th in a single tourney. When you apply a 2005 cutoff, he is 11th and 6th. Amongst North Americans in that time, 5th in both categories.

Guys ahead of him are Bedard, Zegras, Eberle, and Schenn - all above average NHLers. Guys slightly below include JVR, Cutter Gauthier, Snuggerud, Stankoven, Tavares, Nuge...

I see two exceptions - Jordan Schroeder, and Cody Hodgson... a player who looked pretty good in the NHL before experiencing chronic health issues.

I don't actually believe that the WJC means anything for what Cozens is or can be at this point, but your claim is just flat out wrong. Even when you include Euros, the claim is a huge exaggeration.

 

[Sensin5]

I’m still confused as to why a 2nd was attached to Cozens going to Ottawa.. I would have assumed the 2nd would have been attached to Norris due to his injury history and the fear with that. Plus also ive always found Cozens to be the better player and he’s 2 years younger.

Just a weird trade for buffalo… but honestly, it doesnt surprise me at all

Really if it was one for one Cozens for Norris the deal would likely not have happened. Sens needed that piece (2nd pick and the lower cap hit of Cozens) to allow them to grab Zetterlund.

We really got a two-fer. We got 2 solid players for one top 6.

 

[branch]

I’m still confused as to why a 2nd was attached to Cozens going to Ottawa.. I would have assumed the 2nd would have been attached to Norris due to his injury history and the fear with that. Plus also ive always found Cozens to be the better player and he’s 2 years younger.

Just a weird trade for buffalo… but honestly, it doesnt surprise me at all

This is Kevyn Adams' Zibanejad for Brassard, even comes with the 2nd round pick

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

In the current climate, I don't think he is that bad at 8M for a cap team who isn't concerned about real dollars. I think it's a rough contract for any small market team.

The issues for me would always be the liability from injuries. It's why I figured he would be difficult to get value for.

Its definitely not a terrible contract. Its just not a great one. Shave a million per off and I think everyone, aside from Josh, is a lot happier.

I just think that Cozins' contract is a bit more team friendly. The big factor is the injury risk.

 

[Rebels57]

Cozens was dominant against the Flyers last night.

Adams is hilariously bad at his job.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Looking at the last goal Cozens scored, it was exactly the type of goal he tended to score in his 68 point season that got everyone's hopes up (and landed him his contract) . Just a complete snipe from that kind of medium distance where many shooters miss or fire it straight at the goalie's chest. He often skated a few meters in the offensive zone and just sniped it.

For us he eventually just started missing the net all the time and lost his confidence, stopped making great passes as well. He was obviously trying but wasn't "on" and not playing energetically. He absolutely could not drive a line and every time he pushed forward he made mistakes defensively. Started playing a truly dumb game and made terrible choices with the puck. Still was not moved to wing to lessen the mental load.

I'm not sure whether Cozens is an intelligent player who lost his confidence and was put in a difficult situation or just had bad hockey IQ to begin with. Either way, playing in Buffalo isn't exactly good for the type of young players who rely on confidence a lot, because here he was surrounded by mostly other low IQ players in a losing environment.

Just from watching the games, I think it's still valid to say Cozens' IQ is his main weakness. But I don't think his IQ is absolutely awful, and when surrounded by the right players and system isn't going to be a hindrance. Perron with all his faults is a very intelligent player that helps Cozens immensely.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

Can't skate, bad shot, terrible defensively, zero hockey IQ, yet still playing very well.

I have never seen any Buffalo fan claim this. He is a great skater, and his shot is good (while not at the level he had during his 30 goal season). His hockey IQ is absolutely a question mark, and you will just have to see once the adrenaline wears off. His defense can be good, but he is prone to losing his man and having major mental lapses (really in all three zones). He was absolutely mentally wrecked in Buffalo for about 1.5 years, so it is hard to evaluate where he is (which also explains the vitriol around him).

I would expect Ottawa to end up with the better player out of this deal, but keeping Cozens as is was not going well. He was wildly high variance with a lot of absolutely dogshit performances. On a team full of wildly inconsistent kids, Buffalo needs more steady hands. I don't know that Norris is the player they should have pursued, but it makes sense to put a stop loss on the Cozens asset (because his value was continuing to drop).

 

[SpezDispenser]

It's EARLY in this honeymoon - and because of Chychrun and even DBC, I'm scared to profess my all out love, but it's a lookin' good.

 

[TageGod]

I have never seen any Buffalo fan claim this. He is a great skater, and his shot is good (while not at the level he had during his 30 goal season). His hockey IQ is absolutely a question mark, and you will just have to see once the adrenaline wears off. His defense can be good, but he is prone to losing his man and having major mental lapses (really in all three zones). He was absolutely mentally wrecked in Buffalo for about 1.5 years, so it is hard to evaluate where he is (which also explains the vitriol around him).

I would expect Ottawa to end up with the better player out of this deal, but keeping Cozens as is was not going well. He was wildly high variance with a lot of absolutely dogshit performances. On a team full of wildly inconsistent kids, Buffalo needs more steady hands. I don't know that Norris is the player they should have pursued, but it makes sense to put a stop loss on the Cozens asset (because his value was continuing to drop).

With Norris being a real center and not being lost in the defensive zone, along with more goal scoring ability to fix our powerplay, I wouldn't think Cozens is likely to be better.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

Cozens was dominant against the Flyers last night.

Adams is hilariously bad at his job.

As with all things, take caution with early returns (especially with high variance, streaky players) I hate this franchise and probably would prefer to see them fold as an organization, but if a player has 3 good games after sucking for the better part of 2 years, is he fixed? Performance on the Sabres must be discounted to an extent, but when the people who have had to watch him are telling you to take caution, I might want to see a larger body of work.

I have no doubt that Cozens can be a helluva good player in this league. He seems like a good human, and I hope he does succeed.

 

[Barsky]

With Norris being a real center and not being lost in the defensive zone, along with more goal scoring ability to fix our powerplay, I wouldn't think Cozens is likely to be better.

The most important ability is availability, so the odds say he will be MUCH better when you factor that in

 

[sensfandevin]

Cozens will have higher high's and probably lower lows than Norris. Norris is a very solid player in every sense of the word, but a little boring in my opinion. Most games he is quite unnoticeable and that's not what you really want in an 8M player. A solid power play producer with reliable defence and structured play.

Cozens appears to be a more active player. Harder on the forecheck, more of a presence on 5v5, a lot larger and seems to be a guy who puts himself in the thick of things a lot more than Norris. I think this will be a good trade for Ottawa in getting a more playoff style player (large, better at 5v5, physical) and for Buffalo who is desperate for some reliability.

The 2nd and cap hit savings make it a W for Ottawa

 

[TageGod]

Cozens will have higher high's and probably lower lows than Norris. Norris is a very solid player in every sense of the word, but a little boring in my opinion. Most games he is quite unnoticeable and that's not what you really want in an 8M player. A solid power play producer with reliable defence and structured play.

Cozens appears to be a more active player. Harder on the forecheck, more of a presence on 5v5, a lot larger and seems to be a guy who puts himself in the thick of things a lot more than Norris. I think this will be a good trade for Ottawa in getting a more playoff style player (large, better at 5v5, physical) and for Buffalo who is desperate for some reliability.

The 2nd and cap hit savings make it a W for Ottawa

He completely stopped doing any of those things here.

The most important ability is availability, so the odds say he will be MUCH better when you factor that in

I think injuries mean nothing about who is the better hockey player. Cozens could go tear something just as easily as Norris stops injuring his shoulder.

 

[sensfandevin]

He completely stopped doing any of those things here.

Not true. He has vastly outproduced Norris at 5v5.

The rest of the analysis was based on the 3 games he's played with Ottawa where he was far more aggressive, physical, and noticeable than Josh.

 

[Barsky]

He completely stopped doing any of those things here.

I think injuries mean nothing about who is the better hockey player. Cozens could go tear something just as easily as Norris stops injuring his shoulder.

Injuries are the biggest reason why Norris is a Sabre and the biggest reason why he has never earned his paychecks, especially now while he's making 9.5 mil. Not to mention chronic injuries have made many hockey players worse over time and forced some of the greats into early retirement, as I fear will happen with Norris

 

[TageGod]

His line also let in the most goals for us this season.

Injuries are the biggest reason why Norris is a Sabre and the biggest reason why he has never earned his paychecks, especially now while he's making 9.5 mil. Not to mention chronic injuries have made many hockey players worse over time and forced some of the greats into early retirement, as I fear will happen with Norris

He is making 8 though? is hit cap hit 9.5 this year?