The Montreal Canadiens made a splash just before the December 20th trade freeze by acquiring defenseman Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators. But it seems like General Manager Kent Hughes isn’t done dealing. The latest NHL trade rumors swirling around the league suggest the Habs have set their sights on Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens.
The Sabres are in a tailspin, having lost 11 consecutive games. The frustration is mounting in Buffalo, and significant changes could be on the horizon. Enter the Canadiens, who are reportedly looking to add a dynamic young center to their roster. Cozens, a 23-year-old power forward with a strong two-way game, fits the bill perfectly.
Proposed Trade Scenario between the Sabres and Canadiens
The following trade framework has been speculated:
Montreal Canadiens receive: Dylan Cozens
Buffalo Sabres receive: Kirby Dach, Logan Mailloux, 2025 second-round pick
Analyzing the Potential Trade
This trade would be a significant move for both teams. For the Canadiens, acquiring Cozens would give them a potential top-line center to build around. He would provide the Habs with much-needed scoring punch and a physical presence down the middle. Cozens is already a dominant player and has the potential to become a true star in the NHL.
For the Sabres, this trade would be a chance to recoup some assets for a player who may not be part of their long-term plans. Dach, a former third-overall pick, still has considerable upside and could benefit from a change of scenery. Mailloux is a promising young defenseman, and the second-round pick adds another valuable asset to their rebuild.
My Take
As someone who has followed Cozens’ career closely, I believe he would be a perfect fit for the Canadiens. His combination of size, skill, and grit is exactly what the team needs. While the asking price is high, I think Cozens is worth it. He has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone for the Canadiens for years to come.
It’s important to remember that these are just rumors at this point. However, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And with the Sabres struggling mightily, a trade involving Cozens could very well materialize.
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Dach + LM + for .5pt/game guy with upside – seems totally ridiculous to me – way too much for way too little. LM is likely to be in the running for the Clader Trophy next year. We have held onto Dach this long – we need to follow through and he does seem to be finding his game.
Replace Mailloux with Reinbacher and I’m good with it.
Replace both with Engstrom
Dvorak + Xhekaj Brothers + Luke Tuch and a 2025 2nd for Dylan Cozens
a big NO – net loss to the club
Lol, not just no, but he’ll no