Toggle sidebar

GDT: Trade deadline 2025

  • Xenforo Cloud has upgraded us to version 2.3.6. Please report any issues you experience.
  • We are currently aware of "log in/security error" issues that are affecting some users. We apologize and ask for your patience as we try to get these issues fixed.
i would take that trade all day long norris is injury prone and who knows a couple hits from retirement . always been a fan of cozens and think he can turn into a 60-65 point player in ottawa .
 
DackellDuck said:
Sounds like Cozens, according to Garrioch. So about that debate we had yesterday about who has more value... turns out it's equal!

Less injury risk, save 800k on cap and quite a bit in actual cash I guess... but seems like a lateral move. Sabres fans say Cozens is clueless about defending, so that's not great.
Click to expand...
I really don't get that trade, if true.
 
Micklebot said:
I really don't get that trade, if true.
Click to expand...

  • Cozens is a righty. We have almost no right handed forward depth in the org.
  • He can play both center and wing. We need a winger for Stutzle. Pinto can play 2C.
  • The contract of Norris presents a massive liability to a small market team. It was backloaded, so he now makes 9.5M in real dollars. His injury history presents a challenge.
  • They may also feel the need to change over as much of the room to avoid any bad mental habits that were created during the 6 years the team spent in the basement of the league under Dorion & Melnyk.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thinkwild
Nac Mac Feegle said:
Shouldn't Norris be worth a lot more than Cozens? Even with the shoulder issues.
Click to expand...

They’ve both had one good season and got big contracts based off that which they haven’t lived up to. Both should be making 5-6M, not over 7.

Lateral move I’d say.

We could cling to the fact that every bigger name the Sabres trade goes somewhere and becomes awesome, though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thinkwild and Nac Mac Feegle
Nac Mac Feegle said:
Shouldn't Norris be worth a lot more than Cozens? Even with the shoulder issues.
Click to expand...

No. This is what people should have expected. Negative value for negative value.

Cozens also qualifies for a U26 buyout for two more off seasons. They can test drive him for the rest of this season, and for next season. If he doesn't rebound, the dead cap is only about 1.2M.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thinkwild
Gil Gunderson said:
Cozens is less injry prone and makes less. Everyone that leaves Buffalo also becomes better.

But trading Brady’s bro in the middle of a playoff race is tough.
Click to expand...

Unless they have already decided that Brady is gone in the offseason, do you think Staios doesn't brief Keith Tkachuk every time he takes a shit? He probably hates doing it, but I'm sure he pretty much has to call Keith like "Hey Keith, just me Steve, checkin in on you. Gotta a few moves in the pipeline and we just need your consent. What do you think about Carson Soucy?"

I'm obviously kidding here. But the fact that Norris and Brady are apparently tight and they still moved him, it makes me wonder if Norris doesn't have that eye of the tiger and Brady is fine with it. We all have friends who we love, but we know we wouldn't trust going to war with them because they don't have the personality for it.
 
frightenedinmatenum2 said:
  • Cozens is a righty. We have almost no right handed forward depth in the org.
  • He can play both center and wing. We need a winger for Stutzle. Pinto can play 2C.
  • The contract of Norris presents a massive liability to a small market team. It was backloaded, so he now makes 9.5M in real dollars. His injury history presents a challenge.
  • They may also feel the need to change over as much of the room to avoid any bad mental habits that were created during the 6 years the team spent in the basement of the league under Dorion & Melnyk.
Click to expand...
The idea of changing out bad habits by picking up a Buffalo sabre seems like a huge stretch, especially when Norris is a defensively responsible player, and Cozens is not.

I'm not a fan at all, not that norris isn't a good option to move, but cozens is not the target I'd be after at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Max Milk
Look at Cozens' stats.

It is excellent production except on Buffalo. Even on Buffalo scored ~70 points.

Screams like another Reinhart situation. Not to the extent of Sam's numbers, but I feel this could be a hell of a gamble.
 
Micklebot said:
The idea of changing out bad habits by picking up a Buffalo sabre seems like a huge stretch, especially when Norris is a defensively responsible player, and Cozens is not.

I'm not a fan at all, not that norris isn't a good option to move, but cozens is not the target I'd be after at all.
Click to expand...

It isn't about each individual player, as much is it would be about changing the complacency in the room. I think that's a big reason why Staios had such a big changeover of players this offseason.

I like Norris better as a player. It is an absolute downgrade right now. But you have to factor in the overall situation with his injury, and how much money he is owed in real dollars.

Even if they buyout Cozens this offseason (which they won't) this would be a huge win because they would have gotten out of the Norris contract for 1.2M per.
 
Hello all,

A bit of an breakdown of Cozens:

- During his breakout year, I thought he'd turn into a Jeff Carter clone if the defensive side of things progressed. He's fast and actually has a strong wrister.

- But...the defensive side of things never developed partially because Buffalo is a bad defensive team in general + coaching had him focusing more on offense early in his career. He's lost defensively as a center so unless youre willing to go through those growing pains, it'd be wise to start him on wing where I think he can become a good top-6 winger.

- he has some toughness, but don't expect him to win many fights. He got his clock cleaned last year, and it appeared to neuter him a bit. He seems to be willing to drop the gloves again. My issue is more in-game toughness. Rarely plays the body and isn't great at battling for the pucks in the corner.

- He has thrle annoying antic to pass on grade A scoring chances for unwise passes, but that plagues all of Buffalo players.

It sounds negative, but he's apparently been playing better and is still an incrediblyyoung player. A change of scenery is good for him. Norris obviously has his issues, too, so this seems like a fair trade in my view.

So, he's a struggling player with some nice physical attributes but lacking in IQ and confidence. I believe he can become a good top-6 winger for you. Most Sabres fans we're done with him as a top-6 C option. Still, there's a lot of potential there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrEasy, Dionysus, PlayOn and 4 others
If you look at the stats comparison. Norris defensive stats are a little better and Cozens offensive stats are better
5on5 rates
Cozens leads Norris in
CF%
FF%
SF%
GF%
xGF%
SCF%
HDCF%
MDCF%
LDCF%
off zone face off%

1 player comparisons on defensive stats are a product of team defense. When they are close concluding/complaining that one is so much better defensively is a little misleading because you need to look at more than just one player . I do not believe Cozens will hurt us defensively once he settles in with his line mates and team systems and he will quickly. He has been a force defensively before. He is much stronger on the forecheck as well.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Carl Karlsson
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Ad

Top Bottom