Keeping this paragraph as a starting point if this is your first time reading this series: We will be continuing our journey through this series looking at one team at a time to act as a trade partner. Please keep in mind this should not be viewed in the same way as a comprehensive GM for a day type of post where we are looking to completely overhaul the team in one fell swoop. Each article will “reset” the Sabres roster, so don’t be surprised to see the same players, prospects, and picks used repeatedly in various trade offers.
Often declared the early “winners” of the off-season the Nashville Predators find themselves well outside of the playoff picture, and currently have less points with more games played than the Buffalo Sabres. Who would’ve thought adding players like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault would’ve resulted in a net negative for the team. What makes matters worse is that these older players are signed to contracts ranging from medium to long term.
Can the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators come to an agreement that benefits both teams? Maybe the fact that they play in opposite conferences and share a similarly themed team mascot will help to allow the teams to cooperate in a mutually beneficial trade.
To Buffalo: Ryan O’Reilly, Teddy Stiga, and the Vegas Golden Knights 2025 1st round pick
To Nashville: Dylan Cozens
Nashville has been rumored to be interested in trading for Dylan Cozens, and while that may not come as a surprise, in this trade they are able to pull the trigger and make a deal happen. This team is fairly old, and could use a young top 6 player with future potential to build around.
A change of scenery could due Cozens some good, and surrounded by players like Stamos, Forsberg, Josi, and more could provide the type of guidance and leadership to help Cozens take his game to the next level. Also, joining this group would help insulate some of the development for Cozens to continue to get better as he wouldn’t come in wearing a letter, and other players with larger contracts with likely have a bigger focus when it comes to media attention.
Dylan Cozens is a cost controlled right shot center, who is signed long term and is only 24 years old. Additionally, he has scored 30+ goals in the past and plays with an edge at times rounding out other aspects of his game. Even still, he has been down in production the last year and a half and Buffalo has other up and coming centers that could potentially take his place in the future, is it possible this trade makes sense for both teams?
Coming back to Buffalo would be a very familiar face in Ryan O’Reilly, who does not have any NMC or NTC that I can see. While O’Reilly has made some tough statements during his time in Buffalo about losing passion for the game, he was on some historically bad teams and was not surrounded with anywhere near the young potential of players the Sabres currently have on their roster today. O’Reilly has admitted to loving the city of Buffalo, and calling it home in the past, could he be willing to do so again?
O’Reilly is signed for two more seasons after this one at a reasonable 4.5 million AAV. This should fit the Sabres timeline well in terms of needing a legitimate 2nd line center now, but also not signed so long that this spot doesn’t upon up for players like Ostlund, Helenius, etc in the future. His underlying metrics are still quite decent, even on a bad team like the Predators, and his leadership could be a missing piece to the current Sabres locker room.
Teddy Stiga is a fun acquisition for the Sabres in this trade. Often viewed or referred to as an underrated player, he is currently nearly a PPG at his first year playing at Boston College. He also has experience playing with big name players like James Hagens, but with a connection to the Buffalo organization has found success playing with Brodie Ziemer as well. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2024 draft, but many outlets had him listed as a potential late first rounder. While not large in stature, he has an excellent compete level and motor. His hockey IQ is high level allowing him to play with skilled players and adapt him game based on the situation and players around him.
To help finalize and balance out this trade, the Sabres would also acquire a likely later 1st round pick in the VGK 2025 1st round draft pick. Looking at this altogether, for Dylan Cozens the Sabres would be acquiring a capable 2C in O’Reilly, and solid prospect with upside in Stiga, and a late first round draft pick.
What do you think of this trade? Is it enough for Cozens, it is too much?
I am excited about the upcoming trade deadline, curious and hopeful about what the Sabres might do this year. Will adjust my trade proposals accordingly after the deadline has passed.
Thank you as always for reading, looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Go Sabres!