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

[CowbellConray]

He is from Newfoundland. Just chose the USA for international hockey.

Cozens started out like a man on fire, he has definitely slowed down. The adrenaline has worn off but I like his tools alot. I would have traded Norris for a bag of pucks personally, you cant have 10% of your cap always injured. He was a great player before he lost both his shoulders, I still cant believe anyone took him let alone gave a decent player back.

And on the flip side, the Sabres couldn't spend 8% of the cap on a player who was a consistent net negative while on the ice. Which Cozens was. Which stinks, because I really really liked his 68 point year. He just was a net negative ever since.

What's funny, is the ES production for Cozens isn't any better than what Norris was providing (Cozens 40% of points in PP, Norris was only 33%), while Cozens is getting 57% o-zone starts for Ott and Norris was only getting 40% O-zone.

All in all, I think it was a trade that had to be made by both teams. I'm not really confident in Cozen's chance at becoming a 60 point pure top 6 C, more in the 45-55 middle six option (And maybe more on the wing). Norris I think could be a 60 point center, but his injury history is very concerning

 

[bert]

And on the flip side, the Sabres couldn't spend 8% of the cap on a player who was a consistent net negative while on the ice. Which Cozens was. Which stinks, because I really really liked his 68 point year. He just was a net negative ever since.

What's funny, is the ES production for Cozens isn't any better than what Norris was providing (Cozens 40% of points in PP, Norris was only 33%), while Cozens is getting 57% o-zone starts for Ott and Norris was only getting 40% O-zone.

All in all, I think it was a trade that had to be made by both teams. I'm not really confident in Cozen's chance at becoming a 60 point pure top 6 C, more in the 45-55 middle six option (And maybe more on the wing). Norris I think could be a 60 point center, but his injury history is very concerning

He is absolutely not a net negative for ottawa that line has been unreal. He is transporting the puck and has re invigorated Batherson.

 

[Steddy33]

I wonder how long these opinions hold.

Cozens has produced at a 14-goal, 48-point pace so far as a Senator

He produced at 15-goal 41-point pace this year as a Sabre

He was roughly 18/30/48 as a Sabre last year.

And 13/27/40 3 years ago.

Really curious to see if that 31-goal, 68-point year continues to be an outlier.

Of course you can say the same things about Norris' 35-goal year, albeit for different reasons.

The big problem with Cozens isn't point production. He is a black hole defensively. Absolute dog shit in Sabres jersey. The question is more about if he ever becomes a 2 way player. 50 point 2 way forwards are very useful. Cozens was not, he was a player you lose with

 

[CowbellConray]

He is absolutely not a net negative for ottawa that line has been unreal. He is transporting the puck and has re invigorated Batherson.

With a 48.5 Corsi at ES?

 

[Chainshot]

Shakes fist. Ottawa certainly knows of Buffalo's recent success.

Reimer seems like an odd partner for Andlauer but every team needs owners.

 

[bert]

With a 48.5 Corsi at ES?

Tune into a game. Corsi is not a real evaluation. There is simply much more to it.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Both teams will be happy with the trade if Norris stays healthy next season.

I think 2-3 years down the line, it is possible Cozens could have a Zibanejad like development curve that leaves Sabres fans upset - but I still think it's a win/win because it's clear they had to move on from the guy. Sometimes players needs a change of scenery, or teams need to shake up the room.

The short-term outcome of the trade is going to buy Cozens a lot of goodwill with the Senators fanbase. Batherson was playing some of the worst hockey of his career in the weeks leading up to the TDL. Adding Cozens completely turned around Batherson's game. Considering Norris has been out with an injury since shortly after the trade deadline, adding Cozens was almost like adding two rentals, Cozens in place of an injured Norris, and Batherson finding his form again. Not to mention, the 2nd coming back enabled them to move their 2nd this year in the Zetterlund trade.

When you consider how little the Senators had to work with in terms of cap space and assets, this trade was the centrepiece to completely transforming the lineup down the stretch. They probably don't make the playoffs without this trade, and given how asset poor they are, I don't think they pull the trigger on the Zetterlund trade without recouping the 2nd here.

 

[CowbellConray]

Tune into a game. Corsi is not a real evaluation. There is simply much more to it.

I mean I watched the game where Batherson was a -5 and cozens a -4

 

[bert]

I mean I watched the game where Batherson was a -5 and cozens a -4

Yeah good for you. Congrats on missing the playoffs for 14 years in a row but still talking shit. I'd be bitter too but I'd be able to have a civil conversation.

 

[CowbellConray]

Yeah good for you. Congrats on missing the playoffs for 14 years in a row but still talking shit. I'd be bitter too but I'd be able to have a civil conversation.

lol I’m messing with you a bit because you reacted in such a way…. I’ve been a vocal defender of cozens. I think he CAN be a good player. He was a net negative on the Sabres this season

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Cozens addition rejuvenated Batherson and Perron and gave the Sens some secondary scoring when they needed it the most.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I'm not sure if Batherson pulled his head out of his ass because he saw a longtime teammate traded, but he's a completely different player since Cozens arrived.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Cozens addition rejuvenated Batherson and Perron and gave the Sens some secondary scoring when they needed it the most.

I'm not sure if Batherson pulled his head out of his ass because he saw a longtime teammate traded, but he's a completely different player since Cozens arrived.

From a non-sens perspective i think it's more of a wakeup call for Batherson.

Cozens hasn't really been as noticeable lately and his stat line reflects that.

 

[jbeck5]

I mean I watched the game where Batherson was a -5 and cozens a -4

Did you watch the games where Cozens was

+3
+2
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

?

 

[NyQuil]

I'm not sure if Batherson pulled his head out of his ass because he saw a longtime teammate traded, but he's a completely different player since Cozens arrived.

This has been the substantial bonus from the trade. Drake is like a new player.

They met playing at the World Championships in 2022.

“ I clicked with him pretty much the first night I met him, and he said to me, I think if we play on the same team, we'd be best friends.”

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Cozens kinda just needs to be serviceable and healthy so that Pinto can stay centering the 3rd line. Ottawa's record when they had three healthy centres (Stutzle, Norris, Pinto) over the last three years is a 100+ point pace. The problem is Norris was injured for a lot of it and Pinto was suspended last year.

As long as Cozens is healthy and serviceable on the 2nd line, it should be fine.

 

[landy]

Is this a rare lose/lose but at the same time win/win trade? Will Norris and Cozens both be bought out and out of the league in 5 years?

 

[BowieSabresFan]

With the focus in this thread on Cozens v. Norris, I should point out that Docker has proven to be quite useful in his own right for the Sabres.

 

[CowbellConray]

Did you watch the games where Cozens was

+3
+2
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

?

No I envy good teams so I refuse to watch them.

 

[CowbellConray]

With the focus in this thread on Cozens v. Norris, I should point out that Docker has proven to be quite useful in his own right for the Sabres.

He has been a bright spot. He doesn't seem to rush the play when facing a forecheck. I was particularly happy with his performance against Carolina, where he didn't crack under the heavy pressure system

 

[NyQuil]

Is this a rare lose/lose but at the same time win/win trade? Will Norris and Cozens both be bought out and out of the league in 5 years?

That seems pretty dramatic. Cozens is 24 and Norris is 25.

 

[Barsky]

Is this a rare lose/lose but at the same time win/win trade? Will Norris and Cozens both be bought out and out of the league in 5 years?

Norris is never healthy enough in the summer to be eligible to be bought out, lol. At least Cozens still qualifies for the 1/3 buyout and will after next season too, a very crucial difference

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

With the focus in this thread on Cozens v. Norris, I should point out that Docker has proven to be quite useful in his own right for the Sabres.

This is a nice little part of the trade, as JBD was 100% on his way out of Ottawa and, had he landed somewhere as a 7/8/9 D, it could have seriously derailed his career. JBD wasnt (imo isnt) at a level where he is appealing as a playoff option, but he may be able to get there with regular reps. I still have some doubts but Buffalo is a really good fit for him to continue his development.

 

[BowieSabresFan]

This is a nice little part of the trade, as JBD was 100% on his way out of Ottawa and, had he landed somewhere as a 7/8/9 D, it could have seriously derailed his career. JBD wasnt (imo isnt) at a level where he is appealing as a playoff option, but he may be able to get there with regular reps. I still have some doubts but Buffalo is a really good fit for him to continue his development.

If he continues along his current path with the Sabres, I see him as a useful third pair defenseman that could move up to the second pair temporarily if needed.

His hockey IQ and defensive acumen are interesting to watch. He's never going to be much of a scorer, but the Sabres don't need that from him.

 

[landy]

That seems pretty dramatic. Cozens is 24 and Norris is 25.

Norris GP
21-22 66
22-23 8
23-24 50
24-25 56

Seems its a serious issue there like Sens fans warned.

Cozens Points pace
22-23 69
23-24 49
24-25 43

Safe bet there as well without massively improving, that is not only underperforming for a 2C, but definitely for $7.1M AAV for 5 more seasons.