OTP - Who Will Fill The Sabres Top-Six Hole? In his most recent 32 Thoughts: The Podcast episode [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/], NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that he believes Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/] forward Dylan Cozens has generated trade interest around the NHL. Here is what Friedman said on the matter: "The Buffalo fans right now, they're all over Dylan Cozens. They're all over him, and I do think teams have asked about Cozens this year." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMjgwNjc1MzE0MDgzNTE3/usatsi_24902195.jpg] However, Friedman also noted that trading Cozens would come with the risk of him becoming the next Sabre to find success with another team. The Sabres, of course, have moved on from some stars in recent years who dominated with their new teams, including Jack Eichel [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/former-sabres-superstar-is-dominating-right-now], Brandon Montour and Sam Reinhart. "If I'm Adams and the Sabres, I'm worried if we trade him, does he become the next guy?" Cozens has had a tough 2024-25 season, posting six goals, six assists, and a minus-6 rating in his first 27 contests. This is after he had 18 goals and 47 points in 79 games last season. Dylan Cozens [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMDczOTY4MjAxODY4Nzg4/usatsi_24874000.jpg] Dylan Cozens Yet, during the 2022-23 season, Cozens showed that he has the potential to be a star in the NHL. In 81 games, he set career highs with 31 goals, 37 assists, and 68 points. If the Sabres traded the 23-year-old forward and he reached this level again [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/important-sabres-forward-has-broken-the-ice], it would certainly sting.
