When Dylan Cozens was drafted seventh overall in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, high expectations were placed on him. By 2025, Cozens' tenure ended in Buffalo.
This past March, Cozens was traded to the Ottawa Senators. The trade was a blockbuster with Senators fan favorite Josh Norris being involved in the trade. However, Cozens' impact was crucial to help the Senators make the 2025 playoffs.
At 24 years old and being under contract until 2030, Cozens has potential to grow more and be part of the young core long-term in Ottawa. However, Cozens will be eager to show the Sabres wrong for trading him away, and silencing the critics that remain in Buffalo.
Cozens will be eager to silence Buffalo critics
Joe Dibiase of the Locked On Sabres Podcast recently recorded an episode titled "Ottawa Senators don't need to win Dylan Cozens trade to stay ahead of Buffalo Sabres." In the episode, DiBiase talked about the Cozens trade and his expectations for the Senators the upcoming 2025-26 season.
During the episode, DiBiase was critical of Cozens' game for someone who watched him during his Sabres tenure. DiBiase said he doesn't think the Senators will go back to the playoffs in 2026, and Cozens is a main factor why. DiBiase also took a little shot at Sens fans with calling them the second most "obnoxious" fan base on social media among hockey fans.
DiBiase called Cozens as a player that "has to play on instinct," needing to play fast and free. DiBiase said that he doesn't think Cozens thinks the game very quickly, and also said that he has "tunnel vision" when he would be unsure of a play.
A fresh start can be needed for a player who has had his game take a drop. After recording a career-high 68 points in the 2022-23 season, Cozens recorded 47 points the following season. Prior to being traded last season, Cozens recorded 31 points in 61 games in Buffalo.
Even in a short amount of time, Cozens fit in well with the Senators. In 21 games after the trade, Cozens recorded 16 points. Eight of Cozens' 16 points came on the powerplay. After the 2025 playoffs, Cozens spoke highly of what it was like to play in Canada, and that things are more positive in Ottawa than in Buffalo.
In a stat that might sound shocking to Buffalo fans, the Senators won 14 of the 21 games that Cozens played. Cozens' impact for Ottawa was big to help the Senators end its eight-year playoff drought, while Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs since 2011, which is the longest in the NHL.
"I think he's going to look a lot like what he was at the end in Buffalo," DiBiase said.
Cozens recorded one assist in his final five games in Buffalo before being traded. However, Cozens recorded one point in each of his first four games as a Senator. At one point, Cozens recorded 10 points in his first 12 games with the Senators. Cozens finished the regular season with recording five points in the final two games.
Although some Sabre fans might not be willing to say the Senators won the trade, one issue is on the Buffalo roster. That is Norris. After being traded, Norris only played in three games for Buffalo. Norris had a torn oblique that caused him to miss the final 18 games for Buffalo last season..
While Sabre fans will mention Cozens' inconsistency issues, the Senators know about Norris' injury history too well that some Sabre fans might not know about. Since the 2022-23 season, Norris missed a combined 114 games in Ottawa during his final three seasons before getting traded. Cozens has been healthier in his career than Norris, which having a healthy player in the lineup is big.
Along with being healthy, Cozens has been putting in work in the off-season eager to improve himself. A social media post was buzzing earlier in August that showed Cozens putting on more arm strength.
With Ottawa making the playoffs with Cozens before Buffalo did, the Senators may have "won the trade" thus far. However, a new season is on the horizon to see whether or not Ottawa can take off more. Cozens has a golden chance to be Ottawa's second line center and produce points at a solid level.