Red Wings Trade for Sabres' Dylan Cozens 'Was Close' Before Roster Freeze
Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens has been at the center of trade speculation this season, and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman recently revealed just how close the Detroit Red Wings came to acquiring him.
Speaking on Friday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, Friedman confirmed that the Sabres and Red Wings were deep in discussions leading up to the NHL’s holiday trade freeze in December.
“There’s definitely not a lot that gets out of Detroit, and there’s not very much that gets out of Buffalo,” Friedman said. “But finally, it got coughed up to me that they believe the Red Wings were looking at Cozens. And it fits.
”I think there’s a lot of people looking at Cozens. And I will say this, there was a time that a couple people said to me they thought it was close.”
The Sabres, nearly a lock to miss the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season, have received multiple calls from teams interested in Cozens, as Friedman reported on Dec. 18.
Despite his dip in production this season—scoring 21 points in 42 games—his $7.1 million cap hit, long-term contract through 2030, and potential as a top-six center make him a highly coveted player.
For Detroit, Cozens would have filled a significant need by filling the second-line center spot currently occupied by Andrew Copp, per Daily Faceoff's lineup charts.
The Red Wings, under new head coach Todd McLellan, have reinserted themselves into the Eastern Conference playoff race and boast a 19-18-4 record that has the franchise just two points off the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.
NHL insider Chris Johnston noted on Dec. 17 that Buffalo could be hesitant to move young players with upside after some of their recent moves backfired.
“Every year, it seems like a quote-unquote failed Sabre is leading his team to a Stanley Cup,” Johnston said. ”I think there’s trepidation there. I think they’re very worried about making the kind of move that looks bad a year or two down the line.”
One team the Red Wings won't be trying to fend off in the race to land Cozens, however, is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
According to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, the Leafs cannot afford the Sabres forward because of his high salary and underproduction.
Related articles
Ticket prices to attend each 2024 Colts games
How the New Kickoff Rules Impact the New York Giants
Canucks Re-Sign Tyler Myers to 3-Year Contract
Travis Kelce leaves heartfelt post on Instagram after Taylor’s backup dancer, dedicated a heartfelt post to Travis after sharing the world's biggest stage with him and "boss lady" Taylor.The Latest
Red Wings Trade for Sabres' Dylan Cozens 'Was Close' Before Roster Freeze
Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens has been at the center of trade speculation this season, and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman recently revealed just how close the Detroit Red Wings came to acquiring him. Speaking on Friday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, Friedman confirmed ...
Colts Anthony Richardson Has Brutal Spot in 2024 QB Rankings
The Indianapolis Colts won't see the postseason for a fourth-straight campaign after finishing at a low mark of 8-9. However, everything for the upcoming offseason is about what happens with quarterback Anthony Richardson and his development. In a recent piece from Nick Shook at NFL.com ranking all ...
Canadiens Star Forward Returns to Lineup
David Savard isn’t the only key piece returning to the Montreal Canadiens lineup as they get set to take on the Dallas Stars. Not long after announcing Savard’s return from an upper-body injury, the Canadiens announced that star forward Patrik Laine is also ...
-1736615657-q80.webp "Steve Smith Slams Stunning Ton For Sydney Sixers, Equals Massive Big Bash League Record")
Steve Smith Slams Stunning Ton For Sydney Sixers, Equals Massive Big Bash League Record
Steve Smith scored 121 off just 64 balls, helping Sydney Sixers to victory over Perth Scorchers. Steve Smith after completing his century. Steve Smith equaled the record for most centuries in the Big Bash League (BBL) history, playing for Sydney Sixers against ...
-1736615452-q80.webp "Are Red Sox сonсerned аbout goіng tһrougһ ‘bаd рroсess’ wіtһ Jаrren Durаn?")
Are Red Sox сonсerned аbout goіng tһrougһ ‘bаd рroсess’ wіtһ Jаrren Durаn?
The Red Sox and Jarren Duran failed to agree to terms on a 2025 salary before Thursday’s deadline to exchange figures. They are separated by just $500,000. Red Sox' Jarren Duran reacts to his double against the Tigers in the first ...
-1732353839-q80.webp "Yаnkees Retаіn Outfіelder for $5 mіllіon; Non-Tender Utіlіty Mаn, Lefty Relіever")
-1729406631-q80.webp "REPORT: Vаnderрumр Rules Wіll Return for One Fіnаl Seаson, Fіnd Out Wһy Seаson 12 Fіlmіng іs Postрoned аs Sріnoff Begіns Fіlmіng")
-1727523394-q80.webp "Former RHONY Stars Bethenny Frankel and Jill Zarin Reunite in the Hamptons for a Dinner with Their Daughters")