Kevin Weekes reports that the Montreal Canadiens are among the teams that have inquired about Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens. Along with the Canadiens, Weekes mentions that the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, and Toronto Maple Leafs have also expressed interest.
While Weekes isn’t known for fabricating trade rumors, it’s worth noting that Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is known for making numerous calls to assess player values in the trade market. This could simply be part of his due diligence rather than a serious pursuit.
Cozens, a 23-year-old center, is having a down season in terms of production, tallying 10 goals and 16 assists in 53 games. However, given the struggles of the Sabres as a team, his numbers may not be entirely reflective of his talent. While there’s no certainty he would return to his 2022-23 form if traded, playing on a stronger team could benefit him. His 1.82 points per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time is the second-best of his career, and adding offensive skill to the Canadiens would be valuable.
That said, his underlying metrics are concerning, even when compared to his teammates, and his long-term contract—carrying a $7.1 million cap hit through 2030-31—adds another layer of risk. If he fails to regain his scoring touch from his 31-goal campaign in 2022-23, his deal could become a burden.
With multiple teams interested, Montreal would likely need to part with two or three quality assets to acquire him. It appears to be a moderate-risk, moderate-reward move. While Hughes has shown a willingness to bet on young players, the recent struggles of Kirby Dach might make him hesitant to take on another reclamation project.
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