Chicago Blackhawks Linked to Trade With Sabres Former 7th Overall Pick Dylan Cozens

Vinny Parise of The Hockey News thinks the Chicago Blackhawks will be the landing spot for Cozens as many feel he has not lived up to his contract.

The 23-year-old was drafted by Buffalo in 2019 and was given a seven-year deal worth $7.1 million per season as he had scored 31 goals and 68 points through 81 games in 2022-2023. Since then, he has fallen short of his previous numbers and the Sabres have mentioned he will be available for trade.

A deal like this would be one the Blackhawks should consider as the team has an abundance of prospects and draft picks that could be used to send to the Sabres to acquire the young centreman.

the Blackhawks currently are missing a top six centre after Connor Bedard and adding Cozens would certainly augment their rebuilding phase as he can play on the wing and in the middle while also bolstering their power play.

While some feel this may hinder the Blackhawks ability to grow as the team is still at least a few years away from being a contender for the playoffs, adding a player like
Cozens in my opinion could help the Blackhawks move forward faster as it would show the rest of the NHL that they're serious about their rebuild and could attract other players to come to the team and surround them with Bedard and Cozens.

The cost to acquire this talent would be significant as the Blackhawks would need to give up an important piece which Parise states a second-round pick along with the prospect and or Lukas Reichel.

There's the old saying that you need to spend money to make money and adding a player like Cozens would be exactly what the Blackhawks could use to help anchor their new core with Bedard, Nazar, Korchinski Moore.

Only time will tell if general manager Cole Davidson would be willing to make a deal like this but it certainly would make waves across the NHL and change the Blackhawks for good.