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Toronto Maple Leafs have trade interest in Dylan Cozens: report

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Feb 5 2025, 10:15 pm
Toronto Maple Leafs have trade interest in Dylan Cozens: report
Timothy T. Ludwig/Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly considering a trade for Dylan Cozens, the 23-year-old centre from the Buffalo Sabres.

With the Sabres once again out of playoff contention, Cozens has become a popular name in trade rumours. The Calgary Flames have shown interest since the beginning of the season but may not have the necessary assets to land him. Now, according to Kevin Weekes of ESPN, the Leafs are among several teams keeping an eye on the young star, alongside the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings.

Cozens has first-line potential, which is why so many teams are eager to acquire him. Though he’s had a down season with just 10 goals and 26 points through 53 games, Cozens posted career highs in 2022-23 with 31 goals and 68 points. He’s signed to a long-term deal with a cap hit of $7.1 million, which runs through the 2029-30 season.

However, a trade for Cozens won’t be easy for the Leafs. With just over $3.8 million in cap space, the Leafs would have to make some moves to fit him under their salary cap. On top of that, the Sabres are reportedly looking for NHL players in return rather than prospects or draft picks.

Pierre LeBrun mentioned on TSN’s Insider Trading that if Buffalo trades Cozens, they’ll want “apples for apples”—meaning they’ll expect established players to help them now rather than just future assets.

Cozens currently plays centre on the Sabres’ second line, but in Toronto, he would likely be a third-line centre, with Auston Matthews and John Tavares already holding down the top two spots.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 207 pounds, Cozens is a right-shot centre who was drafted seventh overall in 2019. Despite his struggles this season, he remains an attractive trade target for teams like the Leafs. However, Buffalo, being a divisional rival, may ask for even more in return than they would from other teams across the league.

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