NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2025
The Flames are reportedly interested in Sabres center Dylan Cozens plus the latest on the Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
FLAMES INTERESTED IN COZENS
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames remain willing to add to their roster after acquiring Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee last week from the Philadelphia Flyers.
LeBrun said Calgary is interested in Dylan Cozens but they’re not the only ones, adding that two-thirds of the league have checked with the Buffalo Sabres about the 23-year-old center. The Flames are in the market for a right-shot center.
Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (NHL Images).
It would have to be a hockey trade to pry Cozens away from the Sabres. They’re not interested in futures. Meanwhile, the Flames aren’t interested in trading for a rental player. Cozens is signed through 2029-30.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are also likely concerned about Cozens following in the skates of other notable players like Ryan O’Reilly, Jack Eichel, and Sam Reinhart. Those three became bigger stars and Stanley Cup champions after leaving Buffalo.
That’s why they’d want a player-for-player swap like the deal they did last year when they shipped Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for Bowen Byram. That move worked out well for the Sabres.
THE LATEST ON THE CANUCKS
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Vancouver Canucks’ priority is finding help at center after trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers last Friday.
LeBrun acknowledged the Canucks got Filip Chytil in the Miller trade but they’d like to add more depth there. They’re taking the long view and are thinking beyond the March 7 trade deadline to make that acquisition.
The Canucks are among the teams interested in Sabres center Dylan Cozens. They had discussions with the Sabres but that had more to do with Elias Pettersson, who is off the trade market for now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been speculated the Canucks could shop Pettersson before his no-movement clause kicks in on July 1 if he continues to struggle this season. However, his expensive contract ($11.6 million annually through 2031-32) could be tough to move under those circumstances even with the salary cap projected to increase significantly over the next three years.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Canucks have made Carson Soucy available in the trade market. The 30-year-old defenseman was a healthy scratch against Detroit on Sunday.
Soucy had a full no-trade clause this year on his three-year, $9.75 million contract. However, Friedman doesn’t believe the Canucks will have difficulty finding him a new home.
One thing about being at the bottom of your Conference … and headed for a 14th year out of the playoffs. It’s a “signal” to the rest of the league that you’re a target to be fleeced.
Unless they are over-whelmed by an offer for Cozens I sincerely doubt he’s going anywhere.
And don’t look now but, since the 41-game half-way mark when they were 15 21 5 and on a .427 pace, they have gone 7 5 0 and .583, just 5 back of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with 2 games in hand on each, and 7 behind Montreal withe same number of games played.
Their 164 goals scored is now better than 6 of the teams in front of them (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Montreal, NYR, NYI and Boston), 12 more than the 1st WC holder Detroit, and 1 better than 3rd place Ottawa.
Their 177 goals against is less than those of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, 1 more than Montreal, 2 more than Boston and 1 more than Columbus.
And all that counting in the early-season 14-game winless streak that dug too deep a hole … but which is now fading in the rear-view mirror. Teams facing them now had better bring their “A” game.
GeorgeO,Buffalo is an interesting study! Playing well now should come easier because they have nothing to lose! They can play loose without any pressure! I describe Buffalo as a team that plays just well enough to lose!They need to learn how to win! Winners Don t go on 14 game loser streaks!Personnel has to change! To many players on that team expect to lose!I am surprised at the owner Pegula,who s Buffalo Bills have been very competitive the last 5-7 years!
Told you earlier in the year George, the confidence will come with Ullmark in goal. They had the talent, just needed some time to build the trust between the players
You were bang on there, Yogi. They’ve certainly accomplished that. Now, unfortunately, some of the most converted are hors de combat!
This 2 week break couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune time.
You were bang on there, Yogi. They’ve certainly accomplished that. Now, unfortunately, some of the most converted are hors de combat!
This 2 week break couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune time.
I said that! Lyle. Once lol
Re; Flames and Buffalo.
Flames really want A Right Shot Centre….and they Really want 23 yr old Dylan Cousins for 5.2 more yrs at $7.1 a year
Buffalo‘s Biggest Need & Hole is a Top four RD the Flames 🔥 UFA Rasmus Anderson would be a Great Trade for both teams right across the board both teams biggest need filled….❓
It would have to be a sign and trade for it to work for Both Too Work is as he is a UFA is the only way that would work and he’s probably gonna get $8.to $9 Million range a year X 8 years…..👌
As this one with the 🔥 just won’t go Away
Your thoughts on this one it
….❓
❓
I think that contract sounds a little high, Im more in the 7-7,5 range
There are only 2 good RD men available as UFA
This year…..❓on the Market both under 30 yrs old, 28 & 29…..
Neil Polik @ $5.5M and Aron Elkblad @$7.5 M
from the Panthers and they may Resign him….same with the Jets and Polick,🤔
Elkblad Going to get around
$8.5 to $9.M….🤙
RD are in Very Very Big Demand there are
About 20 teams need top 4 Rd-men⁉️
Williew,I wish Boston would consider moving Carlo! League seems enamored with his size,reach etc. He s under contract for at least 1 more year at 4.1 I believe! Seeing what these teams are going to pay for a top 4 RD,Boston should jump!
Andersson is not a UFA, he has 1 more yr.
Yes that’s why it would be a Sigh and trade July 1st🤙✔️
Andersen still has 1 more year after this one yet so no need for a sign & trade.
As if Anderson is signing and trading to go to Buffalo. Why wouldn’t he just wait and go to UFA and go anywhere he wants for whatever he wants…makes no sense.
Only person who makes sense would be Weegar…he’s already locked up, but not sure if he has NMC
It would take alot more than Andersson to get Cozens. He’s five years older than Cozens.
ut with what too
Makenzie, Weeger would also Work also❓
as a right short defenceman in a trade with Buffalo also🤙
The Sabres need a scoring 2C. Cozens could be that 2C. He spends more time not scoring and being a problem player.
The Flames could find a need for Cozens. They do not have the right player to send to the Sabres.
Pettersson will get back to his old self, Im just not sure it will be before his NMC kicks in and that puts Vancouver in a conundrum. Im pretty sure, besides the Miller thing, that Petterssons problems stems from his tendinitis problems, he said as late as training camp that he couldnt train as usual but had to work around the injury. If you look at his play, its not the stamina that is the problem, its the speed, he just doesnt have it and a 26 year old just doesnt loose that for no reason. Before the tendinitis he was in the top 10-15% in speed, now he is in the bottom 15-20% and that impacts any players play, but especially a player that isnt overly physical who can compensate with that. I think its a +50% chance that he is moved before july firstbecause of all this and that its difficult to get the speed back in season.
Apparently (per Thomas Drance) the team thinks the tendonitis narrative isn’t the big issue. Clearly there’s an issue with his speed, though.
Despite that, I think it’s >50% chance that Pettersson gets traded. Surely even Rutherford/Allvin can’t trade away a third high-end center in less than three seasons. The team still needs to contend in the Hughes/Demko window.
Ha! I meant to say I think there’s less than a 50% chance.
Re; Buffalo’s Dylan Cousins
is the only young Right shot centre on the market Right right now …..??
George, the Sabres are such a confounding team. So much talent but too often they play “timid” hockey. The most recent example was the Jersey game where Tage Thompson took a blindside hit but no one stood up for him. The fact that the coaching staff has to call a closed door meeting to read them the riot act (50 games into the season) tells you where the problem lies. They just don’t have the right mix of players and during the off-season they may have to take a hard look at some of their precious prospects. Having said that I do agree that they could turn out to be a spoiler team down the stretch.
I hear you HarryO, Needed, he right mix.
But not helping is the frequency of coaching and GM changes from the last time they mad e the playoffs, going on 14 years ago, complete with roster overhauls (which, in effect, when you look at the roster changes since 2010-11, amounts to currently going through a complete re-build for the 3rd time in that span).
Coaches: Lindy Ruff, Ron Rolston, Ted Nolan, Dan Bylsma, Phil Housely, Ralph Kreuger, Don Granato and Lindy Ruff again – each with likely a totally different approach.
GMs: Darcy Regier, Tim Murray, Jason Botterill, Kevyn Adams – each with likely a totally different philosophy on the type of players preferred.
I think the current group is probably 75% solid so hopefully they can add the sandpaper need without embarking upon yet another series of wholesale changes.
“the right mix ….” (gotta get a new keyboard!)
But wouldn’t both the nucks and flames benefit more from a more established center than a young one trying to find his way? Both teams are still in the win now and young unproven players are usually desired by teams that have time to become what they will be…that is unless cozens has shown he is ready for the pressures of carrying a line. I have not seen that consistently from him, but then again, I’m no expert.
If Buffalo sells “low” on Cozens it isn’t because of being on a losing team.
His face off is poor, he doesn’t earn his contract and his upside is probably more of a hope in Buffalo than elsewhere
He isn’t the 3.5 million gamble to turn around so I don’t see a hockey trade. I see an offer being one with risk
Dylan Cousins has 5 years NHL experience
he will be 24 years old this this Year…..!
Willie
That’s what makes Cozens a gamble not a hockey trade.
That is why a trade for Pettersson makes sense since he is a risk as well if his play doenst improve this spring. So Cozens with risk and Byram with concussion risk and just one year before UFA and a 2nd+4th for Pettersson with risk and something like Willander. The contracts evens kind of up and the cap is going up as well
Hard to believe that Nylander scored only his second career hat trick last night exactly 8 years to the date after his first one. Can`t think of another player whose scored as consistently as Nylander the past few years that hasn`t gotten hat tricks along the way. No Marner , no problem. How about Zegras and a 3rd for D. Cozens or just put Cozens on the wing. Less responsibilities may help him
I would never have guessed that in 100 years! Almost unbelievable!
Maybe a multiple player and draft pick deal but I would not take Cozens one for one for Anderson . You know what you have with the Flame and not so much with the workhorse from Whitehorse