Landing Dylan Cousens early before the 2025 NHL trade deadline

The The Buffalo Sabers hit rock bottom after losing 13 straight games earlier this season. During that time, reports surfaced that the team was interested in changing its roster. Despite having talented players like Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo couldn’t go on a winning streak. It remains unclear how they intended to shake up the roster. However, it seems that Dylan Cozens is a player who could be on the trade block.

The Sabers reportedly received legitimate trade interest from other teams regarding Cozens. It’s hard to blame interested teams for calling Buffalo and getting an idea of ​​what they want to do. Cozens is a right tackle center, which makes him quite valuable. Right-handed centers, much like right-handed defenders, do not grow on trees.

Furthermore, Cozens has a solid track record of offensive production. It wasn’t that long ago when the Sabers center scored 31 goals and 68 points for Buffalo. It was also the last time the team competed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

However, his offensive production has declined since then. In fact, he is yet to reach 10 goals in 2024-25, despite playing over 40 games so far. He is on track to finish with 17 goals and 40 points by the end of the regular season.

Despite the decline in production, teams remain interested in his services. Furthermore, the trade involving Dylan Cozens was reportedly closed at some point before the New Year. From 2025 NHL Trade Deadline in about a month and a half, here are two early landing spots Sabers fans should keep an eye on.

The Red Wings almost landed Dylan Cozens

The Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabers were reportedly close to trading Dylan Cousens before the NHL’s roster freezes around Christmas. The conversation between Detroit and Buffalo is certainly not a surprise. The two Atlantic Division rivals have scouted each other extensively. And they continue to do so.

It remains to be seen if the Red Wings are still interested in Cozens. However, fitting into Hockeytown certainly makes sense. Doc Detroit has played well under head coach Todd McClellana list would be nice. In particular, the team lacks a consistent second-line center.

Adding Cozens to the roster is in line with what general manager Steve Yzerman is reportedly looking for in any trade. He wants to add young, long-term players to the roster at this stage. A trade for a veteran isn’t really an avenue Detroit wants to go down at this point.

Cozens could certainly bounce back with the Red Wings. The Sabers star could thrive alongside Patrick Kane, Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat. He could have made an already lethal unit for the game even more effective. It will certainly be interesting to see if the Sabers and Red Wings restart trade talks between now and the NHL trade deadline.

Flames, Sabers could trade

The Calgary Flames entered the 2024-25 season in rebuilding mode given their moves over the summer. The trade of Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils certainly served to build the future. However, Calgary is in possession of the last Wild Card spot in the West at the moment. And a trade for Sabers forward Dylan Cousens makes a lot of sense for the team.

General manager Craig Conroy wants to add a center to the team. Much like Yzerman and Detroit, he wants a long-term option as a second-line center. Cozens represents such an option. He is 23 years old and signed long-term.

Fiery may not be willing to part with choices or prospects. At least, they might be less willing than the Red Wings. Either way, there is a more realistic path to a “hockey trade” for Calgary. They could send veteran defenseman Rasmus Anderson to the Sabers in any trade involving Cozens.

What the exchange of these teams will look like remains to be seen. Cozens fits the bill with the Flames and could provide a spark for their playoff push. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Calgary win the sweepstakes and trade for the Sabers forward at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.