Salary Cap Projections Update For Next Season Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1NzE4Njg4OTAzNTM4NTcx/usatsi_19695981.jpg] There's another big extension in Buffalo. The Buffalo Sabres locked in another one of their young stars on Tuesday afternoon, agreeing to terms with forward Dylan Cozens on a massive seven-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $7.1 million. The deal, which ties the Whitehorse, Yukon native to Buffalo through the 2030-31 season, includes a $2 million signing bonus in Year 1 and a five-team no-trade clause in years five to seven. What a year it has been for the Sabres. The club has opted to act quickly regarding contract extensions under GM Kevyn Adams, signing the likes of Tage Thompson and Mattias Samuelsson to long-term deals very early in their careers in the hopes of getting bang for their buck down the line. So far, that strategy has paid off, with Thompson, in particular, blossoming into one of the NHL's brightest young stars this season and is now under contract at a ridiculous value of $7.14 million per year through 2029-30. In signing Cozens to essentially the same deal, that's precisely what the Sabres hope to see happen with their other young stud. Cozens' season to this point has flown under the radar for some reason, with the 21-year-old having racked up 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 49 games, all while logging nearly 17 minutes in average nightly ice time and beginning less than half of his shifts in the offensive zone. If Cozens continues to develop along his current trajectory, the Sabres could have themselves quite the bargain on their hands at the price they just signed him to, further helping them compete in a loaded Atlantic Division. And with cap space still to burn heading into next season, the Sabres are certainly not done adding to their roster, either. Sabres fans rejoice.
