Prospect Info: Tyson Kozak, F (193rd overall, 2021) -- SIGNED to 3-year ELC

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[OkimLom]

These 2 1/2 years into being a pro. Maybe there’s a little bit more offense to squeeze out of him but most of his game is that meat and potatoes wall work and then getting around the crease. That’s what he already does and he does it better than most of the players already on the team. I’m not sure if this is actually stunting his development any.

There are still elements that I would like to see him try to grow. I would like to see him given an opportunity to build up leadership qualities and other sort of “intangible” qualities as a professional and given those opportunities in the AHL before being given those chances at the NHL level. There is more to develop a player than just their skills as a professional.

I’m not trying to single out Kozak because I think every single prospect should be also brought through that sort of process. This organization is missing that sort of “developing and building leaders” portion of their “player quality control” identity. I feel the Sabres haven’t shown their willingness to address that in their players, whether through the draft or trading, and they do nothing to develop it from within. It’s a part of a reason why I think they are so inconsistent from period to period and game to game and why they are soft mentally.