The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly have interest in a new trade target ahead of the March 7 deadline.
According to reports from NHL insider Kevin Weekes, the Leafs are among multiple teams expressing interest in acquiring Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens, he said on X on Wednesday.
The club joins the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, and Detroit Red Wings as teams keeping tabs on the 23-year-old forward.
Cozens is currently in the second year of a seven-year, $49.7 million contract with Buffalo and is signed through the 2029-30 season with an annual cap hit of $7.1 million. However, he does not have trade protection until 2027-28, making him a viable trade candidate if the Sabres decide to move him.
Related: Report: Maple Leafs Targeting ‘Affordable Centers’ Ahead Of NHL Trade Deadline
Toronto is currently sitting in second in the Atlantic Division with 66 points. Over the previous months, reports have surfaced that the team is actively looking to bolster its center depth ahead of the postseason. Injuries have plagued the Leafs throughout the season, and general manager Brad Treliving has expressed his desire to acquire a center with term rather than a short-term rental, making Cozens a feasible possibility.
“If there’s one (center) out there that fits, reliable on both sides of the puck, certainly somebody that can add offense, all those types of things. What you want and sometimes what’s available is, are two different things. So we’ll, we’ll keep looking,” said Treliving in January, referencing the team’s center depth.
Related: ‘They Would Prefer Someone With Term’: Maple Leafs Reportedly Interested In Center Depth, Exploring Trade Options for Sustained Solution
Cozens, a 6-foot-3, 194-pound power-forward, has posted 10 goals, 16 assists, and 26 points in 53 games this season while averaging 17:24 of ice time per game. While this is considered a down year for the 2019 first-round pick, projected for just 40 points, his track record is strong and he offers plenty of upside, with 76 goals, 116 assists, and 192 points in 333 career NHL games – all with Buffalo.
As for the Sabres, they sit eighth in the Atlantic with just 49 points and well out of a playoff spot. It’s important to note that the club has not publicly stated their willingness to part with Cozens.
If Toronto were to pursue a trade with Buffalo, all things considered, given his age, size, and contract, the Sabres would likely demand a significant return – potentially a package of prospects and high draft picks.
Related: Report: Maple Leafs Among Teams Looking For A Center In The Trade Market To Address Depth Concerns
The Leafs currently have approximately $3.8 million in cap space, not including a handful of players (Anthony Stolarz, Calle Jarnkrok, and Jani Hakanpaa) still on long-term injured reserve – meaning pieces would need to be shuffled around.
If his services become available, there will be without a doubt, a strong bidding war to acquire the promising forward.
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