When Dylan Cozens was playing on the top line with top wingers he produced 7 points in 8 games. I say Cozens. Kid had the best WJC U20 numbers out of any Canadian kid in the past 10 years since Brayden Schenn. With Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart's future up in the air with the Buffalo Sabres, don't be surprised if the Workhorse from Whitehorse's progression is sped up... Point is this kid has been phenomenal at every level. To playing with men at age 12, to capturing WHL Rookie ofA the Year honours at age 16, to killing it in his Draft year and again in his Draft +1 year. Should have been credited for 2 assists he got in that first World Junior game at his first trip to the WJC, yet somehow wasn't despite being the 2nd last guy in on the play and removed from the puck. So his stat line should read 27 points in 14 games vs. 25. Even TSN recorded those 2 assists that day, yet the IIHF didn't. Still bothers me to this day! DAMN YOU IIHF and your spotty stat tracking system!!!
He sticks up for himself (when Ryan Lindgren tried getting in his face roughing him up, he landed a bunch of punches in response), which shows drive and balls. He came to the rescue of a linemate (Drake Caggiula) being driven into the boards by fighting Kevin Rooney. No other Buffalo Sabre showed that kind of conviction and heart like Dylan did this past season. Minus when Linus Ullmark played out of his mind after learning about his father's passing.
Why does the above paragraph mention matter? It matters because it shows a kid who is willing to do anything for his team to make an impact and show his coach why he should get played and even one day wear a Letter on his chest. He literally became a fan favourite over night. People in Buffalo are demanding he becomes the future "C" because unlike their current captain (who I am a fan of), he hasn't responded like that. Not in a long time. Playing hurt or not, Dylan has a bit of a mean streak and "take no guff" in his game. Yeah, I know what I said! I take no guff either, so I don't care what people think.
The combination of his highly underrated shot, size, and speed, combined with his hockey IQ, and tenacity to do whatever it takes to get noticed, but also do it, because it's the right and necessary thing to do in the moment (to police), because the NHL sometimes does a crap job of it... gives me the feeling he'll be the better player of the two. Kid's development and trajectory has always trended up. As a 19-20 year draft+2 prospect, put in a situation to succeed he looked like a star out there. Yeah, Jordan Kyrou maybe the better option for now, but in a keeper league where years bleed into each other, I'll always go for the kid that I believe has the bigger upside.
And player being a Sabre be dammed, I believe that's the Workhorse from Whitehorse. His commitment to his game, the details, (and working on improving) is up there with the best. Kid is a beast!