The Eastern Conference playoff picture is a complicated one. As of today, all eight teams on the outside looking in are within striking distance. The Columbus Blue Jackets currently hold the second wildcard spot, but are ahead of the last-place Buffalo Sabres by just seven points.
The Detroit Red Wings are trying to make it to the postseason for the first time since. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet writes in his Written 32 that the Red Wings are interested in a Buffalo Sabres player, and that he believes that player to be Dylan Cozens.
Dylan Cozens was selected with the seventh-overall pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft. After a strong 2022-23 season where he had 68 points in 81 games, Cozens signed a seven-year extension worth $7.1 million annually, but he hasn’t yet lived up to that contract. A change of scenery could benefit him, and the Red Wings could use a player of his caliber.
Why it would work
The Red Wings are currently lacking a true second-line center. Dylan Cozens could be the answer to that problem, both now and in the future. Cozens is just 23, and has shown that he can be a 30 goal-scorer in this league. He’s struggling to produce offensively this year, and has eight goals and 20 points in 41 games. But maybe a change of scenery could unlock the version of Cozens that appeared during the 2022-23 season, where he had 31 goals and 37 assists.
Why it wouldn’t work
This would be a gamble. For one, Detroit doesn’t have the cap space right now for Cozens’ $7.1 million contract. They’d have to send a player with a similar cap hit back the other way, which means they’d likely have to add to their package to shed some salary. If for some reason Cozens can’t get back to the top of his game, his contract would become an anchor, and limit Detroit’s future aspirations of success.
What it would cost
Risk aside, Cozens wouldn’t come cheap. He’s scored 31 goals before, and his game isn’t lacking defensively. I’d bet that he couldn’t be had for less than a first-rounder, a solid NHL roster player, and a high-end prospect.
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