Friedman: Red Wings interested in Dylan Cozens

[redwingsfannn9191]

Nygaard +2026 top 10 protected+Rasmussen +compher+tarasenko 50% + gustafsson +2025 3rd for petersson +desharnais

Canucks deal compher+ nygaard+ the 3rd for cozens

Sabres get compher nygaard 2025 3rd

Canucks get cozens 2026 1st Rasmussen tarasenko 50% Gustafsson

Wings get petersson desharnais

Let the thrashing commence lmaoo

For the record I'd trade miller if I'm the canucks and id keep cozens and go down with the ship lmao

 

[sxvnert]

Not sure why the Wings are interested in Cozens. They're better off overpaying for Pettersson.

 

[nbwingsfan]

They arent getting Cozens for spare parts

Th sd t us as garbage offer

Adams has said he is doing hockey trades

You wont move thr prospects snf you wont move thr top Detroit players, yet you think you can get Cozens,..... wTF

The same Dylan Cozens on pace for another ~40pt season while being paid like a 70+pt guy?

 

[lilidk]

My guess Wings looking for first line player . They tried Veleno, and started to play Kasper there . Center/ power forward. Don't need to be line driver, just smart support

 

[nbwingsfan]

And Danielson can't even do that at the same age Cozens was when he played his first full NHL season and put up 38 points. Sure that's not very impressive but Danielson can't even match that, he is a very milquetoast prospect who will be lucky to ever reach Cozens' career high.

Is Danielson paid $7m? I forget

 

[Mattilaus]

Also:

"You have to pay a lot to get a young top 6 center, who hasn't produced like a Top 6 center since early 2023."

Then don't make a thread asking for him? Seems pretty easy.

 

[Grinner]

Nobody seems to be mentioning the elephant in the room here. There’s a reason Cozens is on the trade block. He has a $7.1 million long-term contract, he’s not living up to. Not even close to living up to, and he’s over 100+ games into NOT living up to it.

If you go back and watch his 31 goals from 2 years ago, he scored from everywhere. He’s either going through a massive head case regarding confidence in his shot, or maybe Hathaway really did ruin his career with that knockout punch. He’s not even attempting shots from these same areas.

Every team “in on Cozens” knows there’s a possibility THIS is Dylan Cozens. They’d only make the deal, hoping two years ago was the Cozens they’ll get, but there’s no guarantees at all. They’re taking a big chance themselves, and that’s just taking on that contract. Giving up Grade A pieces is an entirely different, added pressure.

So it’s still a scary deal to make for any manager, and we have to start questioning what type of offers the Sabres are getting. From what I understand, they are nothing like some people are speculating, and the ball really is in Buffalo’s court. Teams aren’t going to increase their offers.

Teams are wanting to buy low, giving Buffalo the opportunity to get out from under what’s on its way to being a monster anchor of a contract.

We get to this summer and nothing’s changed, what do people think the offers will be after he’s 160 games into not performing up to that contract?

So it’s up to the Sabres to decide. They’ll still get good value today, but everyday his play doesn’t change, those offers will be less and less.

It’s a tough situation for the Sabres, cause if they hold on too long for better offers, and this is what he is from now on, they really will have a massive problem on their hands.

Or, they can cash in their chips, get a couple decent pieces and move forward. The ball’s in their court. It’s up to them, but fans shouldn’t be surprised if the value isn’t what they were thinking it’s gonna be.

Im not following all this to closely. Is Cozen actually on the trade block?

 

[StrompTroller]

Nygaard +2026 top 10 protected+Rasmussen +compher+tarasenko 50% + gustafsson +2025 3rd for petersson +desharnais

Canucks deal compher+ nygaard+ the 3rd for cozens

Sabres get compher nygaard 2025 3rd

Canucks get cozens 2026 1st Rasmussen tarasenko 50% Gustafsson

Wings get petersson desharnais

Let the thrashing commence lmaoo

For the record I'd trade miller if I'm the canucks and id keep cozens and go down with the ship lmao

oh boy! sign me up!

Im not following all this to closely. Is Cozen actually on the trade block?

yes but only if you can beat compher and an 11th round pick

 

[Djp]

Im not following all this to closely. Is Cozen actually on the trade block?

He is not

Teams see buffalo slumping like vultures and see if they could pluck something for cheap. They inquire. GM says you need to give to get.

 

[Grinner]

He is not
That's what I figured. Seems there'd be a lot more scuttlebutt if he were
Teams see buffalo slumping like vultures and see if they could pluck something for cheap. They inquire. GM says you need to give to get.

 

[Chainshot]

What are some examples of Detroit moves under Yzerman that have been leaked before they happened?

Things don't come out of Yzerman's front office.

And again I ask, which team stands to gain more from leaking this? Id argue Buffalo by getting more buyers in the mix.

Copp, Compher, Kane as signings all come to mind.

 

[StrompTroller]

He is not

Teams see buffalo slumping like vultures and see if they could pluck something for cheap. They inquire. GM says you need to give to get.

shhhhh peasant they know what they have....

 

[Yatzhee]

Why wouldn’t they? The Sabres are very far away from contending for a playoff spot.

You’re missing 13 seasons of Sabres history it seems. The Sabres aren’t remotely in picks, no reason to explain, they have 2 1st overall defensemen on their roster, 1 entering their prime years.
Buffalo would be interested in a top line center, second line center, veteran power forward. Not necessarily all this season, but definitely an in their prime scenario.

 

[Winged Wheel Willy]

Nygaard +2026 top 10 protected+Rasmussen +compher+tarasenko 50% + gustafsson +2025 3rd for petersson +desharnais

Canucks deal compher+ nygaard+ the 3rd for cozens

Sabres get compher nygaard 2025 3rd

Canucks get cozens 2026 1st Rasmussen tarasenko 50% Gustafsson

Wings get petersson desharnais

Let the thrashing commence lmaoo

For the record I'd trade miller if I'm the canucks and id keep cozens and go down with the ship lmao

What the f***??? How many illicit drugs did you enjoy today?

 

[Irie]

Some of the wild speculation in this thread is crazy.

The Sabres need top 6 centers. They have too many bottom six pieces and too many prospects on their farm. They aren't trading Cozens for a bunch of 3rd line stuff, no matter how many mid round picks you add.

Cozens is learning how to play two-way hockey at the center position now and he is struggling, but he is still young , he is fast, physical, has high end skill, and has shown that he can be effective in a top six role in the NHL in the past. The team will move him permanently to wing before selling him for the collection of secondary assets being offered in this thread.

Bottom line is Adams needs Cozens to turn it around, or he needs a top 6 center coming back for any trade package that he likely would be willing to move Cozens out in. If a trade offer doesn't have that, where is the incentive to move him? (Note , the cap is going up and his buyout is about 1M per year if you are arguing the Sabres may be freaking out about being stuck on the hook with his contract, and they have 1.5 years yet to make that decision on him)

 

[datsyukfan]

Cozens was 20 when he put up 38 points, Danielson is 20 today. Or is HockeyDB lying again? Oh man, why oh why do they have such an agenda against the Red Wings?



I mean we can look at assists too if you want. Cozens had 9 in the NHL his D+2.... Danielson has *checks notes* 0.

Danielson is just not a great prospect. Nothing wrong with that, he could still have a decent career, but top ten was a reach and he'll be lucky to do put up the totals Cozens has in the NHL to date. That he is already being out-performed by 2023 and even 2024 picks in the AHL is a damning indictment and another mark against the Yzerplan.

Dude he’s played 0 NHL games of course he has 0. 19 in 33 is not bad at all for a rookie year in the AHL

 

[Lampedampe]

Dude he’s played 0 NHL games of course he has 0. 19 in 33 is not bad at all for a rookie year in the AHL

Yeah, and sure you can go by age or you can go by draft year. If we go by draft year then he only had 13 points in 41 NHL games in his D+2.

People seem to only use whats fits their narrative though.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInDetroit]

Some of the wild speculation in this thread is crazy.

The Sabres need top 6 centers. They have too many bottom six pieces and too many prospects on their farm. They aren't trading Cozens for a bunch of 3rd line stuff, no matter how many mid round picks you add.

Cozens is learning how to play two-way hockey at the center position now and he is struggling, but he is still young , he is fast, physical, has high end skill, and has shown that he can be effective in a top six role in the NHL in the past. The team will move him permanently to wing before selling him for the collection of secondary assets being offered in this thread.

Bottom line is Adams needs Cozens to turn it around, or he needs a top 6 center coming back for any trade package that he likely would be willing to move Cozens out in. If a trade offer doesn't have that, where is the incentive to move him? (Note , the cap is going up and his buyout is about 1M per year if you are arguing the Sabres may be freaking out about being stuck on the hook with his contract, and they have 1.5 years yet to make that decision on him)

why would anybody trade a top 6 center that's playing well for a middle 6 center that isnt playing well? next thing you're going to tell us is that adams is only interested in a young 70 point 2c on a reasonable contract

the bottom line is that cozens is not living up to his massive contract. it's a huge risk. best you can hope for is someone in a similar situation in a mutual change of scenery type of deal

for the record, i want to stay far away from cozens. only reason i check these type of threads is to make sure yzerman hasn't offered something crazy

 

[Irie]

why would anybody trade a top 6 center that's playing well for a middle 6 center that isnt playing well? next thing you're going to tell us is that adams is only interested in a young 70 point 2c on a reasonable contract

the bottom line is that cozens is not living up to his massive contract. it's a huge risk. best you can hope for is someone in a similar situation in a mutual change of scenery type of deal

for the record, i want to stay far away from cozens. only reason i check these type of threads is to make sure yzerman hasn't offered something crazy

If you actually read what I wrote, you would see that I said, " (Adams) needs a top 6 center coming back for any trade package that he likely would be willing to move Cozens OUT in". - meaning that he would put together a package of assets for a center.

No GM is going to trade a good, young top six center that is playing well currently for Cozens straight up, but that is clearly not what I said. Adams does have the assets to put together a pretty solid package to obtain help down the middle, with players such as Byram, Power, Cozens, Peterka, Quinn, and a ton of really good prospects and what is looking like a pretty high lottery pick in this upcoming draft.

And no, there is not a "Huge risk" in holding onto Cozens. "Oh no! If they don't move him now, they may not be able to get some third line players they have no room for and a draft pick that likely will never play a regular role in the NHL! That's the hyperbole in this thread. Cozens' buyout in a year and a half will still only be 1 million dollars a season, but more importantly, they can still move him to wing and I'd gladly take the odds in a bet that he will be worth his contract on the wing if he can't make it as a pivot in this league.

The Sabres need to hold onto Cozens and hope he shakes off the slump he's in and wakes up and starts playing the way he has in the past. Selling low and getting nothing the team needs would be a terrible move for an organization that has preached patience the last 5 years. Now is not the time to cut bait on that philosophy and let some vultures come in and steal their players while they are slumping. Everyone in this thread wants to pick up a struggling player they think has a pretty good chance of bouncing back, but they don't want to give up anything that hurts. Adams has zero incentive to move cozens for any of these offers, and he is not shopping him, so if GMs want Cozens, they have to offer up something the Sabres need, even if it is for a bigger package where cozens is not the best asset on the Buffalo side, or there is no deal to be had.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInDetroit]

If you actually read what I wrote, you would see that I said, " (Adams) needs a top 6 center coming back for any trade package that he likely would be willing to move Cozens OUT in". - meaning that he would put together a package of assets for a center.

No GM is going to trade a good, young top six center that is playing well currently for Cozens straight up, but that is clearly not what I said. Adams does have the assets to put together a pretty solid package to obtain help down the middle, with players such as Byram, Power, Cozens, Peterka, Quinn, and a ton of really good prospects and what is looking like a pretty high lottery pick in this upcoming draft.

And no, there is not a "Huge risk" in holding onto Cozens. "Oh no! If they don't move him now, they may not be able to get some third line players they have no room for and a draft pick that likely will never play a regular role in the NHL! That's the hyperbole in this thread. Cozens' buyout in a year and a half will still only be 1 million dollars a season, but more importantly, they can still move him to wing and I'd gladly take the odds in a bet that he will be worth his contract on the wing if he can't make it as a pivot in this league.

The Sabres need to hold onto Cozens and hope he shakes off the slump he's in and wakes up and starts playing the way he has in the past. Selling low and getting nothing the team needs would be a terrible move for an organization that has preached patience the last 5 years. Now is not the time to cut bait on that philosophy and let some vultures come in and steal their players while they are slumping. Everyone in this thread wants to pick up a struggling player they think has a pretty good chance of bouncing back, but they don't want to give up anything that hurts. Adams has zero incentive to move cozens for any of these offers, and he is not shopping him, so if GMs want Cozens, they have to offer up something the Sabres need, even if it is for a bigger package where cozens is not the best asset on the Buffalo side, or there is no deal to be had.

so you're hoping there's a team out there with a surplus of young top 6 centers and is willing to ship one out for an expensive, lesser center with an LD or a winger stapled to him? idk man, i can't think of anyone that fits that description

if you had read what i said, it's a huge risk to trade positive assets for a guy who by your own admission could be a buyout candidate within a year and a half

and not everyone in this thread is a "vulture." i just told you that i have zero interest in cozens. we already have jt compher at home

 

[Pavels Dog]

Cozens' buyout in a year and a half will still only be 1 million dollars a season

You can't scoff at the trade offers made and propose a buyout (the absolute worst case scenario for Buffalo) as a legitimate option.

 

[Irie]

so you're hoping there's a team out there with a surplus of young top 6 centers and is willing to ship one out for an expensive, lesser center with an LD or a winger stapled to him? idk man, i can't think of anyone that fits that description

if you had read what i said, it's a huge risk to trade positive assets for a guy who by your own admission could be a buyout candidate within a year and a half

and not everyone in this thread is a "vulture." i just told you that i have zero interest in cozens. we already have jt compher at home

I never said I think Cozens' will be a buyout candidate. I don't think there is any chance that will happen. He will be a winger if he doesn't take the next step as a center. I just posted the buyout information for the Wings fan who was preaching that keeping Cozens was some huge risk for Buffalo, which it is not in any way.

I think you are underestimating the value of Power, Byram, Peterka, Kulich, Helenius, Ostlund, Komarov, Strbak, Wahlberg, etc and a top ten lottery pick. Adams could make a pretty big splash if he decides to stop waiting and put together a package to make a move.

I understand that a lot of Wings fans do not want Cozens and I have never once said that Detroit should trade for him, but if the reports in this thread are to be believed, Yzerman called inquiring about him, so here we are.

For the record, my whole point of my original post was and still is that "Buffalo does not need to trade Cozens", and Adams likely will hold on to him unless he has an offer which addresses the teams needs. There is no incentive to move him for something which does not address those needs, and regardless of how you or any other fan from another teams value him does not change that. The posters telling Sabres fans that they probably need to trade him now for scraps because it is too risky to keep him are out of touch with reality.

 

[Irie]

You can't scoff at the trade offers made and propose a buyout (the absolute worst case scenario for Buffalo) as a legitimate option.

I absolutely can when I am being told that holding on to Cozens is some HUGE RISK, when the absolute worst case scenario is a 1M dollar cap hit buyout cost.

But like I just said in the previous post, if Cozens fails at center, moving him to wing is a very viable option where he will most likely be fine value-wise as a player in the league, so a buyout is an extremely unlikely scenario.

Keeping him and hoping he turns things around is the smart move vs trading him for scraps in order to avoid a seriously unlikely buyout situation in the super slim chance of a worst case scenario, especially when said "worst case scenario" is a 1M dollar cap hit in a time of a rising cap for a team that never even spends the cap.

 

[Pavels Dog]

I absolutely can when I am being told that holding on to Cozens is some HUGE RISK, when the absolute worst case scenario is a 1M dollar cap hit buyout cost.

The buyout IS the huge risk. Losing Cozens for nothing (and getting a 8-10 year cap penalty) would be incredibly bad.

But like I just said in the previous post, if Cozens fails at center, moving him to wing is a very viable option where he will most likely be fine value-wise as a player in the league, so a buyout is an extremely unlikely scenario.

Keeping him and hoping he turns things around is the smart move vs trading him for scraps in order to avoid a seriously unlikely buyout situation in the super slim chance of a worst case scenario, especially when said "worst case scenario" is a 1M dollar cap hit in a time of a rising cap for a team that never even spends the cap.

And that may very well be what happens.

But the fact that Buffalo doesn't like to spend may also be exactly why they don't want to be on the hook for 7+ mil for a player that doesn't live up to it. And at some point something needs to happen. "Hoping things turn around" isn't a great strategy for a team stuck in a rebuild for 13 years. I mean that's likely exactly why Detroit's kicking these tires - they also need something to happen.

 

[Irie]

Spending 1m per year over 8 years during a time of rising cap for a team that doesn't even spend the cap is not really "incredibly bad".

What Sabres fans are being told in this thread is that there are two options.

Option A - trade Cozens now for pieces they don't need and honestly do not even have roster or farm room for, or face the consequences.

Or

Option B (the consequences) - keep your young center that has shown flashes of being a productive player who caused matchup issues for opponents and hope he breaks out and solves your center depth issue, but if he doesn't, you can move him to wing where his skill set is starting to look like it may be ideal for him to be slotted, and miss out on the pieces you don't have room for and don't need. Also, there is a very tiny risk that Cozens continues to regress at both center and wing, in which case, he could be bought out for 1M per season.

The reality is that the Sabres are not really in a position where they can't gamble on Cozens turning it around. They have to stick with him unless he can return something of need when traded with a package of assets.

Option 1 is not really even a realistic option, to be honest.