High expectations were on Dylan Cozens when he was drafted seventh overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2019 NHL Draft. Cozens' tenure in Buffalo would last until March 2025.
Cozens was traded to the Ottawa Senators in a trade that was around him and Josh Norris. While the trade may have sent shock waves that both teams traded a player they had high hopes for, Cozens was a main contributor for the Senators' 2025 playoff push.
As the upcoming 2025-26 season is two months away, Sens fans have reason to be excited what Cozens can do in his first full season as a Senator at 24 years old. However, two years could offer a reason why the Senators can know if Cozens will be part of the future or not.
Cozens has 5-team no trade clause starting in 2027-28, inconsistent past in Buffalo can raise concern
Cozens was solid after being traded to Ottawa. In 21 games, Cozens recorded 16 points to help the Senators make the 2025 playoffs. Cozens' impact was big with the Senators winning 14 of the 21 games he was in the lineup. However, pressure is on Cozens for the next two seasons.
Cozens won't be a free agent until 2030 with a $7.1 million cap hit per year. However, starting in the 2027-28 season, Cozens has a 5-team no trade clause. If Cozens has struggles by 2027, the Senators could potentially have interest in trading him away to avoid the no trade clause and dump his high salary. Cozens' contract was recently named the worst on the Senators roster by Talking Hockey, but he might have been the only choice among the Senators roster.
In his past in Buffalo, Cozens has shown some signs of inconsistency to be a concern. Cozens' best season came in 2022-23 when he recorded 68 points. Then, Cozens recorded 47 points in the following 2023-24 season. Before being traded this past March, Cozens recorded 31 points in 61 games for the Sabres at the time of the trade.
For the 2025-26 season, pressure will be on Cozens in his first full season in Ottawa. Having a solid 21 games after being traded is a sign that Cozens is eager to raise his game higher, and is capable of doing so.
There is reason to be optimistic that Cozens can be part of the Senators young core for the long-term with his age and play. Cozens showed he fit in Travis Green's system in a short time to get used to.
Now that Cozens had 21 games to play in after the trade and produced well, it can help him get ready for a full season. A strong first full season can help the Senators not be too worried about Cozens down the road if he can get over his inconsistent struggles in Buffalo from the past two seasons.