Buffalo Sabers 2024 Player Report Card: Dylan Cozens

Total season stats: 18-29-47 in 79 games

Age: 23

Contract status: Signed through 2029-2030 for $7.1 million per year

Midway through his third NHL season, Dylan Cozens signed a massive contract extension on February 7, 2023. This locked him in for the next seven seasons with a significant cap hit of 7.1 million. It also gave him the third-highest cap hit on the team behind Jeff Skinner ($9 million) and Tage Thompson ($7.14 million). As with all big contracts, expectations have risen for Cozens heading into this year. Unfortunately, he did not capitalize on his success from the previous season.

Cozens hoped to match or surpass his 2022-23 season where he scored 31 goals and finished with 68 points in 81 games. However, his subsequent performance leaves much to be desired. He struggled to score for long stretches of the season. He played 20 matches from October 29 to December 13 in which he scored only one goal. His longest scoreless streak was from March 16 to April 9 (12 games). That’s just not good enough for a No. 2 center.

A few factors seemed to contribute to his difficulties. The Sabres’ entire offense looked underwhelming through the first half of the season. The coaching staff placed more emphasis on defensive assignments and the offense subsequently suffered. Additionally, one of Cozens’ best teammates last season, Jack Quinn, has been injured for most of this year. Eventually, increased contract pressure and playoff expectations seemed to weigh on him. He was one of the most snake-bitten Sabers in a disappointing year for their offense. Cozens said it himself when he spoke with Buffalo News reporter Lance Lysowski in December:

Despite his struggles this season, Cozens showed what made Sabers management want to sign him long-term. His best stretch of statistical play occurred just before the All-Star break. He had 7 points in the 4 games before the break. He also finished the year with a two-goal, three-point performance against Tampa Bay. He took this momentum into the World Championships where he led the tournament with 9 goals in 10 games for the Canadian team.

Overall, it was a disappointing year for Cozens. Hopefully, the momentum from his strong performance at the World Championships will propel him into a productive and critical offseason. Time will tell how he fits into Lindy Ruff’s scheme, but Cozens’ determination, intensity and skill make him a tailor-made coach like Ruff. All signs point to a rebound next season which could erase the memory of the past year.

Season grade: C-